§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress the Waste Management Advisory Council has made on its deliberations on the public benefits of returnable containers; and when he proposes to take steps to introduce mandatory deposits on all containers to encourage their return.
§ Mr. MarksThe working party that is studying the economic and environmental impact of returnable and non-returnable containers has found that, in order to reach firm conclusions, it needs information additional to that currently available. Research is being put in hand and will be completed as soon as possible. It would be premature for the Government to take decisions until it is in a position, in the light of this work, fully to assess the implications.