To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps she is taking to improve coordination with the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions and its agencies in connection with the regulation and support of the waste management industry. [36697]

[holding answer 30 March 1998]: Officials within the DTI already have regular contact with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions officials and with the Environment Agency on many waste issues, for example, the review of the waste strategy, aspects of waste management licensing, the Landfill Directive and waste shipments issues. JEMU, the Joint Environmental Markets unit, is composed of staff from both departments and promotes opportunities for the UK environment industry, including waste management companies.