§ 9. Mr. Russellasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what steps he is taking to encourage local authorities to instal machinery in order to extract recoverable materials from household and trade refuse.
§ Mr. H. BrookeA general encouragement to local authorities to instal plant and machinery for this purpose would not be justified, because the cost would in many cases be more than the salvage was worth. But I am always prepared to look at individual cases on their merits.
§ Mr. RussellIs my right hon. Friend not aware that a number of local authorities bury their refuse and thus lose much valuable material, such as metal? Surely the proceeds from the recovery of the metal would offset to a great extent the cost of the machinery?
§ Mr. BrookeIt may or may not do so. Many local authorities find that the most economical way of disposing of refuse is by controlled tipping, but I am always ready to look further into any case in respect of which my hon. Friend feels that something is not right and where we might be able to help local authorities.