HC Deb 04 November 1987 vol 121 cc705-6W
Mr. Beggs

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what incentive Her Majesty's Government are giving to industry to encourage the development of biodegradable products; and whether Her Majesty's Government have plans to introduce legislation to require that biodegradable products are introduced to replace plastic products where possible.

Mr. Butcher

The Government have no plans to introduce such legislation at this time.

Normal channels of Government funding are available to encourage work in this area. We support and are in discussions with the plastics industry about the use of degradable materials. They are being encouraged to employ them when it is commercially viable to do so.

In October 1986 a workshop was held on the recycling of plastics which was attended by the industry and other interested bodies. This has been successful in creating a more positive attitude towards recycling.