§ 16. Mr. Allen McKayTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects the Recycling Advisory Group to report on its consideration of recycling of domestic and industrial waste.
§ Mr. McKayGiven the absence of provisions for recycling in the Environmental Protection Bill, will the Minister arrange for the report to be printed in full and then immediately introduce legislation to implement that report?
§ Mr. ForthNo. The hon. Gentleman perhaps misunderstands the purpose of the group. It was formed last September from a wide variety of interests to advise my Department and the Government generally about the way forward on recycling. We look forward to its preliminary conclusions, but they will not be part of a formal report. However, we expect that the group will provide a major input to the preparation of the environment White Paper later this year.
§ Mr. BowisDoes my hon. Friend agree that although it is excellent to encourage householders to segregate and dispose of waste so that it can be recycled, ultimately the only efficient way forward is to encourage waste disposal authorities to negotiate with recycling companies so that 90 per cent. of domestic waste can be recycled?
§ Mr. ForthMy hon. Friend makes a fair point, but he tempts me to prejudge and pre-empt the recycling group's conclusions, which I am reluctant to do. The group will examine precisely those aspects and I look forward to its conclusions to ascertain how we can best put such recommendations into effect.