HC Deb 07 March 1990 vol 168 cc629-31W
Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has any plans to move from material specification to performance specification in respect of British Standards in order to allow a greater use of recycled material.

Mr. Ridley

The Department's Warren Spring laboratory has identified the historical emphasis upon material specification for standards as a significant barrier to the development of markets for recycled materials, and a shift towards performance specification would begin to undermine that barrier. The whole question of standards has been identified as a key area for discussion by the recycling advisory group, set up to help to develop a national approach to recycling and to propose means of increasing United Kingdom recycling rates. The group is due to present its recommendations shortly and these will be carefully considered by the Government.

Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has any plans to amend British Standard 5750 to allow a greater use of recycled material.

Mr. Ridley

The question of standards has been identified as a key area for discussion by the recycling advisory group, set up to help develop a national approach to recycling and to propose means of increasing United Kingdom recycling rates. The group is due to present its recommendations shortly and these will be carefully considered by the Government.

Mrs. Mahon

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects the recycling advisory group to report on its consideration of recycling of domestic and industrial waste.

Mr. Ridley

The group is expected to complete the current phase of its work before the end of May.