§ Lord Jenkins of Putneyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they consider that the privatisation of refuse collection in Wandsworth has failed; whether they are aware of the allegations that rubbish has been uncollected for weeks and of bribery in Wandsworth in this connection; and whether they will call on local authorities to abandon privatisation and return to principles of public service.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment (Lord Bellwin)Certainly not; the Government are firmly of the view that local authorities do well to examine the scope for savings and better service in contracting out their waste services. The ratepayers of Wandsworth stand to benefit from estimated savings of some £7.5 million over the next five years as a result of this move. I understand that the contract is just finishing its running-in period; the problems encountered have been exaggerated and no more than transitional; complaints are already markedly reduced. Allegations of bribery are for investigation locally, but my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for the Environment is not aware of any substantiated ones. A prime principle for public services is that they be provided in the most cost effective and efficient manner. The encouragement, not the abandonment, of ways of achieving this is one essential part of this principle.