§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities are failing in their statutory duty to dispose of rubbish; and 661W what information he has as to the number of authorities which are seeking to discharge their duty by employing private contractors.
§ Mr. ShoreI am informed that normal refuse collection services have been suspended because of industrial action in about one—third of the districts in England; and that some local authorities have already used contractors to remove accumulations of refuse.