§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment with regard to the introduction of the litter code under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, and his Department's effort to seek the views of local authority representatives, how many local authorities submitted comments on his proposals; what proportion of comments were in favour of his proposals; and if he will make those comments publicly available.
§ Mr. TrippierA draft of the code of practice on litter and refuse, which provides guidance on the discharge of 295W the new duty to ensure that land is kept clear of litter and refuse, was issued for consultation to local authorities and others in February 1990.
Of the 160 local authorities who commented on the draft code, only a handful stated that they were opposed to it. This was, no doubt, due to the fact that the code was drafted in consultation with a code of practice advisory group which comprised representatives of the main local authority associations, statutory transport undertakers, private sector cleansing contractors and property owners. The practicalities of the proposals had therefore already been carefully considered by practitioners, but comments were taken into account in producing the final version of the code which was published on 18 January 1991.
We have no plans, at present, to make any responses to the consultation publicly available.
Government grants 1as percentage of local authority expenditure Non-domestic rates 2as percentage of local authority expenditure Domestic rates/community charges 3as percentage of local authority expenditure 1979–804 60 22 17 1980–814 59 23 17 1981–82 56 25 20 1982–83 53 26 21 1983–84 54 26 19 1984–85 54 26 20 1985–86 54 28 21 1986–87 50 28 22 1987–88 49 28 23 1988–89 46 28 24 1989–90 44 28 25 1990–91 42 29 28 1 For the years 1979–80 to 1989–90 Government grants comprises aggregate Exchequer grant and rate rebate grants. For 1990–91 Government grants is made up of revenue support grant, special grants, specific grants in aggregate external finance community charge benefits, and transitional relief grant. 2 Net of rate rebates. 3 Net of rate rebates for the years 1979–80 to 1989–90. Net of community charge benefits and transitional relief in 1990–91. 4 England and Wales.