§ 76. Mr. Parkerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now make his policy that capital expenditure on necessary plant for collecting and preparing waste paper and board for recycling will be treated by the Government as key expenditure for the purpose of the local authority borrowing on the lines of expenditure on sewerage.
§ Mr. OakesIf the acquisition of plant by local authorities for reclamation were to rank as "key sector" expenditure, this would reduce the amount available, within the total local authority allocation, for "locally determined schemes". Local authorities generally have welcomed the freedom of choice they have under the latter allocation and would not be likely to welcome any curtailment of it. I do appreciate, however, the difficulties resulting from the restricted allocation of borrowing approval, and I am also aware of the importance which should be attached to recycling programmes.