§ Mr. CashTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he is making to improve the tendering process for local authority waste disposal contracts under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
§ Mr. AtkinsCompetitive tendering for waste disposal under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 generally works well and there are no plans to change the requirements of the 1990 Act. However, my Department is working on updated guidance to local authorities which will re-emphasise the importance of taking environmental factors into account in that process, such as the benefits of the waste-to-energy option in appropriate locations. We hope to consult on draft guidance later this year.