§ Mr. Terlezkiasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if Her Majesty's Government will take steps to encourage the introduction by local authorities of incinerators, and alternative means of disposal of refuse, including providing central heating for schools, hospitals and old people's homes.
§ Mr. WaldegraveWe will continue to encourage the consideration by local authorities of alternative methods of waste treatment and disposal, and their adoption where they provide an economically viable, reliable and environmentally acceptable option. In particular, my Department has provided financial and technical assistance for the development of mechanical separation618W plants at Doncaster and Newcastle. These plants produce a waste derived fuel from domestic and commercial waste for energy recovery which, in the case of Newcastle, services a district heating scheme. We hope to publish advice on the development of this technology in March.