HC Deb 04 December 1991 vol 200 cc259-60
17. Mr. Illsley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received recently regarding an eco-labelling scheme for environmentally benign products; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Trippier

The Environment Committee published its report on eco-labelling in September and the Government responded in November.

Mr. Illsley

I am grateful for the Minister's reply. Do the Government intend to implement an eco-labelling scheme? Can the Minister say whether the Government will agree to a Europewide eco-labelling scheme, to try to eliminate some of the misleading claims that are made on behalf of some products, which prejudice products that are environmentally safe? For example, glass products are completely recyclable. Will the Minister ensure that a life cycle analysis is built into the scheme to ensure that a product is judged from the time it is produced until it is recycled or destroyed?

Mr. Trippier

The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. A number of misleading claims are made by companies suggesting that their products are environmentally friendly when clearly they are not. In many cases, that can be a rip-off for the consumer. We should prefer to go along with the European Communitywide scheme so that British industry is not put at a disadvantage. I hope that the Environment Council of Ministers that I shall attend next week in Brussels will decide on a directive.

Sir Hugh Rossi

Does my hon. Friend agree that the answer lies in early amendment of the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 so that the misleading claims to which he has referred can be squashed?

Mr. Trippier

Such an amendment might well be needed, but it is more important that we get the European eco-labelling scheme up and running. I am anxious that we should play an active part not only in setting it up but in ensuring that it is in operation in the United Kingdom by the end of 1992.

Mr. Turner

Does the Minister recognise that the people of Wolverhampton do not regard the Secretary of State for the Environment as environmentally benign, certainly over the problems that they face with the new standard spending assessment announced in the past few days—

Mr. Speaker

Order. That was a bit wide of the question.

Mr. Turner

It affects the people of Wolverhampton.

Mr. Speaker

Yes, I know, but the hon. Gentleman must keep to the question.

Mr. Turner

How can the Secretary of State for the Environment be environmentally benign when he is introducing the Heseltax, as it is known in Wolverhampton, and disastrous standard spending assessment being inflicted on Wolverhampton?

Mr. Trippier

My right hon. Friend is not environmentally benign but environmentally friendly. His friendliness is made clear in Wolverhampton's settlement. Although the hon. Gentleman may be concerned about it, I prefer the view of his neighbour, my hon. Friend the Member for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Hicks), who is extremely pleased with my right hon. Friend's settlement.