§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities submitted comments on his proposals to implement the litter code under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 into existing compulsory competitive tendering arrangements, as set out in his letter of 9 January to the three local authority associations; and what proportion of the comments he received were in favour of the proposals.
§ Mr. TrippierThe Department received 39 responses to its consultation letter of 4 January setting out the Government's proposals for introducing transitional arrangements to facilitate the implementation of the litter duty in cases where street cleaning contracts had already been let by local authorities. The respondents, who included the main local authority associations in England, Wales and Scotland and various other representative associations, made a significant number of constructive comments. These comments are being carefully considered and an announcement will be made shortly.