asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement about the progress of the Government's policy to encourage the recycling of waste, used and surplus material.

The Waste Management Advisory Council, established by the Government, has been identifying priorities for action and is engaged on studies covering the whole field of waste management. The Council's recently published First Report makes a number of wide-ranging recommendations, which the Government are considering carefully. A further, important initiative has been the appointment of Dr. Robert Berry as the first Director of the National Anti-Waste Programme.