To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions he has had with local authorities about the management of waste; and if he will make a statement. (167583)

[holding answer 26 November 2007]: My Department has discussions regularly with local authorities about a wide range of issues concerned with waste management.

The Government set out their vision for sustainable waste management in Waste Strategy for England 2007, published in May. Local authorities play a key role in delivering this national strategy and both Ministers and officials from my Department have engaged with authorities on the strategy’s development and will continue to do so as it is implemented and delivered.