§ Mr. Lomasasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) what inducements are offered to local authorities to recover and subsequently dispose of waste paper salvage;
(2) what is the average price per ton obtained for waste paper collection; and if he will seek powers to standardise the price throughout the country;
(3) if he will introduce legislation to set up a national collecting and disposal agency for waste paper to relieve the possibility of local authorities terminating their existing arrangements on economic grounds, especially when there is an urgent need to reduce the costs of imports.
§ Mr. MacCollRecommendations on waste paper recovery were made in February, 1966, by a working party of 157W the Economic Development Committee for the Paper and Board Industry. These included the provision of the required incentives to local authorities by the negotiation of long-term contracts between them and the users of waste paper and the setting up of a joint body representing mills, merchants and local authorities to watch supply and stock levels and forecast changes in supply and demand. I understand that the parties concerned are now discussing the implementation of these recommendations and that the board mills which are the users of mixed waste paper are at present getting all that they can handle.
The Government do not have information on average prices, which are a matter for negotiation between those concerned. The Restrictive Practices Court has ruled that a nationally negotiated minimum price for local authorities' waste paper was contrary to the national interest.
My right hon. Friend does not think that legislation is called for.