Written question asked by Jonathan Sayeed (Conservative) on Wednesday, 21 May 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 17 June 2003. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Tuesday, 17 June 2003 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what action her Department plans to take against those local authorities who fail to meet their recycling targets and continue to export waste out of their area of responsibility for landfill; and if she will make a statement. - Inc ref to Guidance on Municipal Waste Management Strategies www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/management/guidance/mwms/ index.htm.

Answer: Mr. Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action her Department plans to take against those local authorities who fail to meet their recycling targets and continue to export waste out of their area of responsibility for landfill; and if she will make a statement. [115947] Mr. Morley: The Secretary of State has powers under section 15 of the Local Government Act 1999 to act where authorities are failing to deliver best value. The way in which these powers would be used in support of statutory performance standards for recycling and composting of household waste is set out in Annex A of Guidance on Municipal Waste Management Strategies (DETR March 2001); http:// www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/management/ guidance/mwms/index.htm The use of these powers will be considered where appropriate in support of the recycling targets. The Government have made clear that they will work with local authorities to ensure that failures are minimised, and that the principles that underpin the Waste Strategy, including the waste hierarchy and the proximity principle, are reflected in municipal waste management strategies.

Secondary information