§ 12. Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on what action he proposes to take to commence a national campaign against waste as outlined in his recent Green Paper.
§ Mr. Denis HowellMy hon. Friend will be asking the Waste Management Advisory Council to consider, as a priority, the need for publicity to support an dencourage reclamation work throughout the community.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopI welcome my hon. Friend's answer, but is he willing to give a categorical assurance that local authorities will be able to go ahead with the surveys that are absolutely vital to the position concerning waste in their areas, and will he assure us that the Government accept the urgent need to limit imports, which could be achieved by vigorous prosecution of a war-on-waste campaign?
§ Mr. HowellYes, Sir.
§ Mr. FinsbergAre we to understand from that reply that the advisory council has been set up? If so, has it any membership drawn from environmental bodies?
§ Mr. HowellI should have to have notice about a question concerning the people serving on the advisory council. I shall do my best to supply the information to the hon. Gentleman. I am almost certain that the answer to his question is "Yes", but I shall write to him on this.
§ Mr. Michael MorrisOn a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. The question was whether the council has been set up. May we have a direct answer to that question?
§ Mr. Deputy SpeakerI cannot give an answer. We had better move to the next Question.