§ Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what household recycling levels have been attained in(a) Greater London and (b) each London borough in each year since 1997. [158449]
§ Mr. MorleyThe Information requested is contained in Defra's Municipal Waste Management Survey 2001–02, copies of which are in the Library. Table 5B gives the information request ed for London for the financial years 1996 –97 2001–02. Annex B gives information for individual London local authorities for the financial years 1998–99–2001–02. Information for the years before 1998–99 was not published at the local authority level. The Management Survey can be downloaded from: http://defrawebienvironment/statistics/wastats/mwb0102/ index.htm. Further data on London's waste can be found at www.capitalwastefacts.com
The household waste recycling and composting rates for 2002–03 can be obtained from the following website: www.bvpi.gov.uk
§ Sue DoughtyTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the progress made on pilot schemes for direct and variable charging for collection and disposal of household waste. [158232]
§ Mr. MorleyIn its response to the Strategy Unit Report Waste Not Want Not, the Government undertook to carry out further work before a decision is taken on whether to enable local authorities to introduce pilot direct and variable charging schemes for collection and disposal of household waste. In co-operation with the Local Government Association and other stakeholders, and drawing on international experience, work is being undertaken to consider the practicalities of operating such schemes and how potential disadvantages could be overcome.
The Government will consider the results of this work during 2004.
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