§ 2.51 p.m.
§ Lord Beaumont of WhitleyMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government when they propose to bring into force the first three subsections of Section 24 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 (dealing with litter).
890§ The Earl of AvonMy Lords, it is our intention to implement these provisions as the public expenditure situation permits. In the meantime, the Government continue to give financial and moral support to the Keep Britain Tidy Group, who campaign against litter on many fronts in collaboration with local authorities, voluntary groups, industry and commerce.
§ Lord Beaumont of WhitleyMy Lords, will the Government give some estimate of what they think it might cost, and therefore when they are likely to do it, in view of the fact that the sections in question only require the local authorities to consult, to prepare statements and to give adequate publicity, none of which one might think was particularly expensive?
§ The Earl of AvonMy Lords, the costs of drawing up plans are unlikely to be great, but implementing them would depend upon the cumulative decisions of local authorities across the country. I gather that the last estimate some years ago was £250,000 for the plans and probably something like £1.25 million for the implementation.
§ Lord MonsonMy Lords, can the noble Earl say whether Her Majesty's Government have sought the advice of the Government of the tidiest nation on earth—that is to say, Singapore—on how to combat the litter menace, with particular reference to the penalties imposed in that country?
§ The Earl of AvonMy Lords, I am afraid I have no information on that particular point.