HL Deb 23 July 2001 vol 626 cc188-9WA
Lord Hardy of Wath

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many times the litter advisory group has met since January 2000; and what advice it has offered during this period. [HL320]

Lord Whitty

The litter advisory group is yet to be formed. The group will comprise representatives from organisations that have responsibilities with respect to litter. The group will be chaired by DEFRA and its remit will be to review the existing litter legislation and make recommendations about the changes and additions that are required.

Lord Hardy of Wath

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they consider that prevention or deterrence of the dropping of litter within the property or in close proximity of a school is the responsibility of the school itself or the relevant local education authority. [HL321]

Lord Whitty

Schools are classified as duty bodies and therefore have a responsibility to deter, prevent and clean up the dropping of litter on their property. Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, litter laying on the surrounding public land is the responsibility of the local authority and litter laying on the surrounding private land is the responsibility of the property owner. However, if the school is the source of the litter, the Government would expect the duty body to extend its responsibility to the surrounding land.

Lord Hardy of Wath

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many litter control areas have been designated in each local authority since the Litter Control Areas Order 1991 was introduced. [HL323]

Lord Whitty

Information on the number of litter control areas designated in each local authority area since the Litter Control Areas Order 1991 was introduced is not held centrally. Areas designated, as litter control areas are entered on a public register maintained by each principal litter authority.