To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Meriden of 26 October 2009, Official Report, column 47W, on domestic waste: waste disposal, what the piece of research on landfill bans is which has been published; what the (a) timetable, (b) reference number, (c) commissioned institution, (d) terms of reference and (e) title is of the other piece of research; and what the timetable is for the consultation referred to. (308370)

The first piece of research entitled “Landfill bans and restrictions in the EU and US” was prepared by Green Alliance and published on the DEFRA website in September 2009 (reference number WR1202).

The second piece of research has been jointly commissioned by DEFRA and the devolved Administrations through the Waste and Resources Action Programme. The research investigates the environmental, economic and practical impact of landfill bans. The report is expected to be published early in 2010.

As previously announced, it is our intention to consult publicly on the case for introducing further restrictions on the landfilling of certain wastes. The consultation will be launched early in 2010.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Meriden of 19 May 2009, Official Report, column 1282W, on domestic waste: waste disposal, whether the WR1205 research report has been provided to his Department. (308807)

WR1205 is a project that has not yet begun. Research report WR1204, referenced in the answer to the hon. Member for Meriden (Mrs. Spelman) of 19 May 2009, Official Report, column 1282W, has been completed and is available from DEFRA’s website at:

www.defra.gov.uk

using the search term WR1204.