§ Mrs. BrookeTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assistance her Department is planning to give to local councils towards the cost of disposing of refrigerators in this financial year. [64531]
§ Paddy TippingTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what financial aid has been made available to each local authority to help with the storage and disposal of refrigerators in(a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03. [64247]
§ Mr. MeacherIn December 2001, we announced a payment of £6 million to go to local authorities to cover their costs up until March 2002 for the storage and250W disposal of refrigerators. We realise local authorities are in need of further funding and intend to make an announcement as soon as possible.
§ Mr. WilshireTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many fridges are awaiting disposal in each(a) waste collection authority and (b) waste disposal authority. [66509]
§ Mr. MeacherThe exact numbers of fridges being stored pending treatment in either waste collection authority or waste disposal authority at any one point in time are not held centrally. However, current estimates suggest there are around 900,000 units awaiting treatment.