HC Deb 23 May 1990 vol 173 c182W
Mr. Janman

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if his Department intends to replace the use of peat with refuse-derived humus in major landscaping projects.

Mr. Atkins

My Department is undertaking trials with alternatives to peat for tree planting. Refuse-based products have so far been rejected because of contamination. If a better formulation can be offered my Department will test it.

Mr. Janman

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many tonnes of peat his Department uses in landscaping programmes each year;

(2) how many tons of peat his Department uses each year.

Mr. Atkins

My Department used 7,500 tonnes of peat-based composts in connection with tree and shrub planting in the 1989–90 planting season.