LORD HAWKEasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in view of the unsatisfactory system of waste disposal operated by many local authorities, and also of the under-employment of the heavy engineering industry, they will place orders for a waste-disposal plant with a view to its later being hired out to local authorities.
§ LORD SANDFORDThe nature of the Government's relationship with local authorities in carrying out their statutory functions in the public health field do not require or justify an arrangement on the lines suggested. It is the duty of each local authority to assess the waste disposal requirements of its area, often in conjunction with neighbouring authorities, and to acquire, either individually or jointly such capital equipment as may be necessary. Under arrangements introduced last April local authorities now have a block allocation of capital which they can spend in accordance with their own assessment of priorities. There is now a growing trend towards mechanical treatment of refuse, and I would expect this to be accentuated when, on the reorganisation of local government, responsibility for refuse disposal in England is passed to the new county councils.
The disposal of house refuse is a service for which Parliament has made local authorities responsible without detailed supervision by central Government, and they are of course answerable to their electors. I agree that one sees many cases where a local authority's arrangements are unsatisfactory, but there is no reason why they should be. Local authorities have had the benefit of advice in the recent comprehensive report of the Department's Working Party on Refuse Disposal, who recommended a code of practice for the controlled tipping of refuse and gave much useful guidance and information on other aspects of disposal. In a circular issued to local authorities with the report the Secretary of State for the Environment asked them to review their methods to ensure that tipping is carried out to the highest possible standards.