Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what policy initiatives have been taken by his Department to increase the level of recycling materials in the United Kingdom; and if he has met the Association of County Councils, the metropolitan authorities or the relevant trades unions to discuss policy options in the recycling field.
§ Mr. ForthI refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell) on 17 October at column12. The Association of County Councils, the Association of Metropolitan Authorities, the Association of District Councils, and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities are members of the advisory group referred to in that reply.
§ Dr. CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish in the form of a table the number of bottle banks in each west European country for the most recent date for which figures are available.
§ Mr. Forth[holding answer 19 October 1989]: No figures are kept for the number of bottle banks in each west European country. However, in the United Kingdom there are currently 3,830 bottle banks.
Source: British Glass Manufacturers Confederation.
§ Dr. CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish in the form of a table(a) the amount of metal recovered from cans by each west European country in 1988 and (b) the amount of metal recovered as a percentage of the total amount of metal consumed in cans for each country.
§ Mr. Forth[holding answer 19 October 1989]: Accurate statistics for the amount of metal cans recycled in each west European country in 1988 are not available. However, in 1988 in the United Kingdom an estimated 950 million steel cans were recycled, equivalent to 8 per cent. of production, and 470 tonnes of aluminium cans were recycled, equivalent to 1 per cent. of production.