HC Deb 03 July 2003 vol 408 c407W
Sue Doughty

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions her Department has held in the last year with voluntary organisations on the Waste and Resources Action Programme; and if she will make a statement. [122232]

Mr. Morley

The Government holds frequent discussions with the voluntary sector on waste management issues and they took part in discussions with the Strategy Unit during their waste study. However we have had no recent discussions with them about the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP).

WRAP was set up as an independent company by Government, to promote sustainable waste management by working to create stable and efficient markets for recycled materials and products. As an independent company we look to WRAP to identify the issues it feels it needs to discuss with the voluntary sector and take action accordingly.

We are aware that WRAP holds regular independent discussions with the voluntary sector and, in particular more recently, concerning their intended new work following the announcement of their extended role under the Waste Implementation Programme. WRAP has also recently established an electronic stakeholder dialogue which is open to voluntary organisations.