§ Mr. Craigenasked the Secretary of State for Industry whether there has been any increase in the quantities of waste paper collected for recycling since the publication of his consultative document Cmnd. Paper No. 5727.
§ Mr. CarmichaelStatistics of waste paper collections are not available, but since Cmnd. Paper 5727 was published the consumption of waste paper in paper and board production has fallen considerably, due to the current economic recession. There is no doubt that the amount of waste paper collected has declined in consequence.
§ Mr. Craigenasked the Secretary of State for Industry whether the special Advisory Group on Waste Paper Recycling is satisfied that there are sufficient incentives to encourage local authorities and voluntary groups to recover waste paper for subsequent use in newsprint production.
§ Mr. CarmichaelThe Advisory Group on Waste Paper Recycling has completed 259W its interim report, which contains recommendations and comments on what might be done to encourage the greater recovery of waste paper, including by local authorities and voluntary organisations. The Government are considering how they can best help to increase the recycling of waste paper. The advisory group will be giving further thought to some of the problems noted in its interim report.