§ Mr. BoscawenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how he intends that local authorities should charge for waste collected from mixed domestic and commercial property; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryThe Collection and Disposal of Waste Regulations 1988 for simplicity define all waste arising from mixed hereditaments (now known as composite hereditaments)—that is, properties which are partly residential and partly used for trade or business—as commercial waste. Waste collection authorities do not 567W charge for the collection of domestic waste, but may make a reasonable charge for commercial waste. However, circular 13/88 suggests that authorities, in setting the level of their charges, should recognise that some waste arises from the residential part of a composite property. We consider that all authorities should, once they have received a request to collect commercial waste from such properties, collect or empty free of charge at least one refuse sack or dustbin per week per property and should be prepared to consider alternative or additional arrangements on an individual basis.