HL Deb 08 October 1986 vol 480 cc233-5

2.44 p.m.

Lord Graham of Edmonton

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are now ready to publish the report of the interdepartmental committee which has considered the effectiveness of existing procedures for increasing -the use of waste materials, including minestone, in highway construction.

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, the report of the interdepartmental committee was published on 3rd June. A copy has been placed in the Library.

Lord Graham of Edmonton

My Lords, will the Minister accept that what I was seeking to obtain was the Government's response to the report? I understand that, after consultations, the report is now available and that the Government have accepted all its recommendations. Will the Minister bear in mind that there are 3,000 million tonnes of colliery spoil stockpiled throughout Great Britain? If the main recommendation of the report, as I understand it, is to abandon the system of dual tendering, can he assure the House and the country that the Government have plans to urge contractors to make better use of the spoil in the making of roads?

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, I am pleased to confirm to the noble Lord that, on the principle that the minestone that is rolling can gather no moss, acceptance of the recommendations was announced on 1st October. The procedure of dual tendering was found to be ineffective and very costly. In future greater reliance will be placed upon marketing and competitive pricing by waste producers. Information will be given to tenderers to ensure that they do not overlook likely waste sources.

Lord Ezra

My Lords, as the person who was responsible for setting up the Minestone Executive of the National Coal Board, the purpose of which was to make the best use of waste material associated with mining coal, may I ask the noble Viscount whether he is aware of the great efforts made by that executive to segregate and grade minestone to make it suitable for road building? In the light of the Government's decision to give up dual tendering, nevertheless will great efforts be made to use this material wherever possible?

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, I can certainly confirm that. If I may just summarise the report, the Government feel that road construction can make a useful contribution to waste disposal and we want to encourage its use wherever and whenever that is economically viable.

Lord Underhill

My Lords, I welcome the decision announced by the noble Viscount. I note that the Department of Transport's press notice of 1st October referred to the consultations and stated that some organisations which responded were heartily in favour but others were critical. Is it proposed to issue a report of the consultations or to place a copy in the Library?

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, I have a summary of the comments received on the report, but as it is rather lengthy and detailed, perhaps the noble Lord will be satisfied if I send him a copy. I shall also consider placing a copy in the Library.

Lord Graham of Edmonton

My Lords, as I know that this is a Minister who leaves no stone unturned, may I ask him to accept that I am not at all certain that under the previous system of dual tendering Ministries were as enthusiastic as I believe they ought to have been to see that the scheme worked? Although I acknowledge the response given to my noble friend Lord Underhill, can the Minister tell us what was the response of the National Coal Board—that is to say, the Minestone Executive—to the recommendations in the report?

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, I am afraid that I do not have that in front of me but it will be contained in the document that I place in the Library.