HC Deb 25 June 2002 vol 387 c754W
Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the length of time needed to clear the backlog of refrigerators and freezers stored by local authorities. [62666]

Mr. Meacher

[holding answer 18 June 2002]: Information given by companies investing, or intending to invest, in treatment plant suggest that sufficient plant should be in place by the end of the year to ensure that the backlog of fridges does not increase further and that the backlog of appliances will be dealt with during 2003.

Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Mid-Bedfordshire (Mr. Sayeed), of 15 January 2002,Official Report, column 270W, on waste refrigeration equipment, when the new recycling plants will come online; and what their capacity will be. [62668]

Mr. Meacher

New recycling plant are already coming online in the UK. Two mobile plant with annual capacities of 150,000 each are operating in Lewes and Northampton, the former since April and the latter since May. Three static plant, with annual capacities of 300,000 each, are due to be operating by the end of July. Further plant will be installed by the end of the year.

Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to provide funding to local authorities to assist with the disposal of refrigerators, beyond the £6 million allocated for the last financial year. [62975]

Mr. Meacher

[holding answer 18 June 2002]: I will make an announcement shortly setting out my proposals for additional funding for waste disposal authorities.

Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many refrigerators and freezers are being stored by local authorities pending disposal or recycling. [62667]

Mr. Meacher

[holding answer 18 June 2002]: Current estimates are that there are more than 900,000 units awaiting treatment.

Miss McIntosh

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on her estimate of the extra costs to local authorities in 2002–03 as a result of the EU Directive on the recycling of refrigerators and freezers. [63077]

Mr. Meacher

Although the initial annual cost is likely to be around £40 million this will decrease as plant are commissioned, competition becomes established and more fridges that do not need treatment enter the waste stream.