HC Deb 08 February 1999 vol 325 c10W
Mrs. Roe

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on any additional costs for recycling packaging waste arising from recent changes in the law and the method for distributing such costs. [69611]

Mr. Meale

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member of Hazel Grove, (Mr. Stunell) on 28 January 1999,Official Report, column 335.

Mrs. Roe

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will take steps to ensure that wasteholders have a right of access to the Packaging Waste Recovery Note System in respect of waste they deposit for recycling. [69610]

Mr. Meale

The Advisory Committee on Packaging referred to this issue in its further advice set out in Sir Peter Parker's letter of 22 December to my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment, a copy of which is in the Library. The Committee recommended thatindividual businesses, who are obligated members of the packaging chain and bring waste for reprocessing, should be given first refusal on the PRN when waste is accepted for reprocessing and that reprocessors should make reasonable forward provision for such parties who wish to have PRNs". We are grateful for the Committee's advice and my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment hopes to make an announcement on this and other aspects of the Packaging Recovery Note system shortly.