§ Mr. David AtkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidelines his Department issues to local authorities in respect of cleaning chewing gum from pedestrian areas; and if he will have discussions with chewing gum manufacturers on this subject. [14755]
§ Mr. ClappisonWe have issued no guidance on cleaning chewing gum from pedestrianised areas. However, the Tidy Britain Group, which is largely funded by my Department, is currently working with a major chewing gum manufacturer to establish both effective cleansing methods and ways of reducing the problem in the first place.