To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what steps his Department has taken to promote research aimed at reducing the dangerous substance content and increasing the use of less polluting substitute substances in batteries and accumulators and into methods of recycling;(2) what steps his Department has taken to reduce the volume of spent batteries and accumulators in household waste.

I refer the hon. Member to the replies given to him by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Industry and Consumer Affairs on Friday 19 January, volume 165, column 444.