§ Mr. MillsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce measures to prevent the importation of waste paper from the United States of America.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryNo. Such measures are not required. In 1989 United Kingdom mill consumption of waste paper and board amounted to some 2.578 million tonnes. Only 80,000 tonnes were imported, and of this less than 3 per cent. originated from north America.
§ Mr. MillsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has had about market, legal or other obstacles faced by enterprises seeking to develop recycling of waste paper.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryMy Department and the Department of Trade and Industry have received many representations and comments about issues concerning the recycling of waste paper. For this reason the Government have established a recycling forum with a series of expert groups, including one specifically dealing with waste paper recycling. We hope to make the conclusions of the expert groups public shortly.