To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the capacity of (a) incineration, (b) composting and (c) recycling plants for the years 1999 to 2002; what the estimated capacity will be for the years 2003 to 2005; and if he will make a statement. [115774]

I have been asked to reply.The following table gives the information available from the Environment Agency on the capacity of facilities for incineration, biological and physical treatment methods for licensed sites. The biological category covers composting, anaerobic digestion and other biological processes that change the properties of waste, while physical treatment covers processes such as filtration and sorting. Figures are not available separately for the capacity of composting and recycling facilities. The figures are the latest and only ones available for the years in question.