§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, following the complaints made to him by the president of the National Association of Independent Businessmen, he will now announce his decision on whether he will introduce legislation to discharge local authorities from their legal duties to charge for the collection of trade refuse; and, in the light of the statement of the previous Under-Secretary of State in a letter to the hon. Member for Melton of 29 July 1980, that he hoped an early decision could be reached on any necessary action, he will indicate the reasons for the delay.
§ Mr. Giles ShawWhen we receive the advice of the advisory committee on local government audit on the question of charges for the collection of trade refuse we will consider the matter further. In current circumstances we would, of course, need to consider the implications for local authority finances arising from any change in the law on refuse charges.