asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what achievements he can list from the UK 2000 initiative; how many litter wardens have been appointed; if he is considering introducing on the spot fines for litter offenders; and if he has any proposals for encouraging people to return empty bottles to suppliers.

A report on the achievements of UK 2000 is given in my answer to the hon. Member for Cynon Valley (Mr. Clwyd) on Wednesday 4 February at column 721.Information on the number of litter wardens is not held centrally. The Government see considerable difficulty in the content of on-the-spot fines for litter offenders.The Government support the recommendation of the Waste Management Advisory Council that the industry take steps to encourage recycling of bottles. Such steps include the introduction of readily identifiable return-ability symbols and a clearer indication of deposit rates.