§ Mr. Anthony Grantasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the annual cost of local authorities refuse collection services; and what proportion of this is undertaken by private contractors.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe estimated cost of this service in 1979–80 in England and Wales was approximately £374 million. Collection by private contractors accounts for less than 1 per cent. of the service.
§ Mr. Anthony Grantasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will issue a circular advising local authorities to use private contractors for their refuse collection and disposal when this can be done at lower cost to the ratepayers, for the equivalent standard of service, than the present system; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Giles ShawAlthough we encourage local authorities to consider the scope for the use of private contractors, we are not considering issuing a circular at the present time. Information in contracting out refuse collection and disposal in this country and abroad is being assembled. It is hoped to make this available to local authorities and to publish the results of current research studies into the scope for contracting out various local government services.