HC Deb 19 November 1998 vol 319 c888W
Mr. Gorrie

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make regulations to ensure that retail outlets which provide trolleys for customers operate a returnable deposit system. [60235]

Mr. Battle

[holding answer 17 November 1998]: Section 99 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 provides local authorities with powers to collect, store and dispose of abandoned trolleys.

Wherever possible they must inform the trolley owner that they have collected a trolley, and if not collected within 6 weeks that they will dispose of it. Local authorities are able to make a charge to the trolley owner which is sufficient to cover the costs of collection, storage and disposal.

The Government prefer local authorities to enter into voluntary arrangements with trolley owners. If local traders are unwilling to co-operate then local authorities may decide to use the S.99 powers.

I have no plans to make any regulations in this area.