§ Ms RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what consideration his Department is giving to funding the Packaging Standards Council; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what (a) financial and (b) other support his Department has provided to the Packaging Standards Council in each of the last two years; and what support his Department intends to give in the future.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe Packaging Standards Council is an advisory body set up by industry to promote good practice and seek continuous improvement in all aspects of the packaging offered to consumers. The Government welcome the valuable work done in this area by the council. In May 1994, the council approached the Government for support towards its operating costs. We took the view that a body of this type should be independent of the Government and that, in addressing consumer's concerns, its support is properly a matter for businesses in the packaging chain.