§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much his Department has spent on(a) publicity, (b) promotions, and (c) hospitality in each of the last six years. [40624]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordThe total figures for publicity, promotional expenditure and hospitality by my Department in each of the financial years requested are detailed.
publish waste management paper 26E, which will provide guidance on landfill restoration and post-closure site management.
§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had recently with(a) his ministerial counterparts and (b) the European Commission concerning the United Kingdom landfill policy; and if he will make a statement. [40789]
§ Mr. ClappisonRecently, the United Kingdom's landfill policy has been discussed in the context of the European Commission's communication on the review of the Community strategy for waste management. The Commission's communication suggests that all waste going to landfill should be pre-treated. There is no sound 1059W scientific basis to this approach. Landfill when properly engineered and controlled is a viable waste management option for a range of wastes.
The United Kingdom favours the disposal of untreated biodegradable waste to landfill, and the use of the biochemical process engineering—bio-reactor—approach to manage landfill sites. This approach is designed to prevent pollution caused by the degradation process, and to provide conditions in the landfill in which stabilisation of the waste in situ is as rapid as possible. The approach is based on research into landfill practices that the Department of the Environment has sponsored for more than 20 years.