§ Mr. Parkerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total number of local authorities responsible for collecting municipal refuse; how many of these are collecting waste paper themselves, or in conjunction with other local authorities, as salvage for recycling; and what was the total tonnage collected by them for this purpose during 1973.
§ Mr. OakesThere are 403 local authorities in England and Wales which are responsible for collecting household waste. Before the reorganisation of local government last April it is understood that about a third of all refuse collection authorities salvaged waste paper, but no later comprehensive information is available. In 1973 the total consumption by paper and board mills of waste paper purchased from local authorities was 302,489 tonnes.