HL Deb 23 January 1991 vol 525 cc10-2WA
Lord McNair

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How quickly the tendering process for the letting of waste disposal procedures will become effective now that the Environmental Protection Act has received Royal Assent; and

What is the envisaged programme for the implementation of the waste disposal/LAWDC sections of the Environmental Protection Act and in what way can information be provided in advance for those local authorities who currently have to await clarification before taking actions.

Baroness Match

Where a LAWDC is created, the Secretary of State will require the initial waste disposal contracts for the LAWDC to be awarded after competitive tendering. If an authority makes other arrangements for waste disposal then the Secretary of State will implement the requirement for competitive tendering for new waste disposal contracts as soon as he is satisfied with those arrangements.

Our intention is to issue for consultation a draft circular on LAWDCs in the course of February. The Secretary of State plans to start issuing notices of his intention to direct authorities to set up LAWDCs soon after its formal publication. Individual time-tables will be set for the creation of LAWDCs, reflecting the circumstances of each local authority. A programme for the implementation of the rest of Part II of the Act is currently being developed, and, once finalised, will be announced. It will provide for consultation periods with local authorities and other relevant bodies.