§ 3. Mr. Laurance Reedasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration he has given to imposing a statutory duty on local authorities to recover and recycle industrial and domestic wastes generated within their districts.
§ The Secretary of State for the Environment (Mr. Peter Walker)Wherever recovery of material from industrial and domestic wastes makes economic and environmental sense, I favour the adoption of practical recycling policies. Working parties on which my Department is represented are studying waste disposal problems arising from the growth in the use of some materials, and their reports may throw fresh light on the practicabilities of recycling.
§ Mr. ReedDoes not my right hon. Friend agree that it is extremely disappointing that only about 2 per cent. of the 14 million tons of domestic waste generated in this country each year is presently recovered? Does he agree that there is need to recognise that the reclaimer is the ally of the conservationist?
§ Mr. WalkerYes, I recognise that. Under the local government reorganisation, instead of 1,200 authorities dealing with refuse disposal, there will be only 30 or 40, which will be able to install the proper equipment.
§ Mr. FreesonDoes the right hon. Gentleman agree that a much greater drive towards the establishment of district heating, incorporating disposal of refuse as part of the heat producing process, would be a major contribution over the years if it were adopted as policy?
§ Mr. WalkerAs the hon. Gentleman knows, work has been going on in the Department on this problem. There are snags and difficulties about it but certainly an advance could be made in this direction.