Clause 4 - Allocation of landfill allowances
Waste and Emissions Trading Bill [Lords]
3:15 pm
Mr Bill Wiggin (Leominster, Conservative)
I beg to move amendment No. 36, in
clause 4, page 3, line 28, after 'authority', insert
'taking into account that there can be no separation of responsibilities between district, or county council,'.
The amendment identifies the different types of authority. I believe that there are at least four types: the allocating authorities and the district, county and unitary authorities. Currently, we are dealing with the allocating authority, which would be an Assembly, such as the National Assembly for Wales, the Scottish Parliament or the Northern Ireland Assembly, when there is one.
The important point is that all the authorities should work together to achieve the landfill targets. I am keen to close the loophole that may allow authorities to play off against one another. Let us say, for example, that a district authority under a county council is responsible for waste collection, while the county council is responsible for waste disposal. I am keen to ensure that if there is any failure, the failing part of that two-tier team is held responsible, but equally that the responsibility is managed internally, rather than by the Government. That is what the amendment is designed to achieve.
That is an important consideration, because there are many different ways of dealing with waste collection. We can consider examples from abroad. Apparently, almost all EU members are introducing a type of landfill tax except for Greece, Portugal and Germany, so even within the EU there are exceptions to the rule. I am keen that we do not allow exceptions to creep in with our Bill. I hope that the amendment is constructive and helpful and that the Minister agrees with me.