§ 60. Mr. Turtonasked the Minister of Agriculture why private firms and farmers are no longer granted licences for the processing of kitchen waste in the York area; at what price the processed waste is sold by York Corporation; and what complaints he has received as to the quality of the processed waste so sold.
Mr. T. WilliamsPresumably the hon. Member is referring to licences granted by me for the collection of kitchen waste. After the setting up of a central sterilising plant by the York Corporation in172W accordance with a direction of the Board of Trade in 1944, the York area was brought within the scope of the Kitchen Waste (Licensing of Private Collectors) Orders and the claims of old established collectors were considered and licenses granted. Following the customary procedure no licences are granted to newcomers after the scheduled date if the local authority can collect from the premises concerned. The processed waste is sold by York Corporation at £6 per ton ex-plant, plus certain additions for small lots. No complaints of the quality of the product have been received either by my Department or the Board of Trade.