§ Mr. WardTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will consult his counterparts in Sweden, Denmark and Germany to seek information on the ways in which they have encouraged the use of returnable, refillable bottles for drinks which are on sale in shops; and if he will investigate the feasibility of introducing such measures in the United Kingdom;
(2) if he will make it his policy to persuade supermarkets to make greater use of refillable containers when selling drinks; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BaldryThe Government's White Paper on the Environment, "This Common Inheritance", stated that encouraging the re-use or recycling of materials was a priority. The Government recognise that the use of refillable beverage containers can make environmental and economic sense in certain circumstance. The White Paper also recognised that policies should be based on the best scientific and economic information. The Government have therefore commissioned a study by consultants of the implications of a deposit refund scheme for beverage containers. This includes studies of schemes in place in other countries.