Contributions
1,387 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDDeposit Return Schemes: Digital TechnologyWe recognise the benefits of a digital DRS. Many trials are being run; I am very encouraged by the results, and my officials and I will be looking closely at them. Once a deposit…12 Jan 2023HANSARDDeposit Return Schemes: Digital TechnologyFurther details of the deposit return scheme, which will be so important to reducing waste, will be announced and published later this month. [Official Report, 16 January 2023,…12 Jan 2023HANSARDFlood Defences: ShipleyI thank my hon. Friend for raising the issue. We realise the difficulties for those few properties that are frequently flooded: as he says, it can be devastating for people who…12 Jan 2023HANSARDEnvironment Agency Budget: Sewage DischargeI am glad that the hon. Gentleman recognises the plan we have put into operation, because the like of it has never been seen before. I reiterate that it is our increased…12 Jan 2023HANSARDEnvironment Agency Budget: Sewage DischargeI have made it absolutely clear that sewage going into our waters is totally unacceptable. That is why under my tenure as Environment Minister—actually, it began with the previous…12 Jan 2023HANSARDEnvironment Agency Budget: Sewage DischargeThe volume of sewage discharged by water companies is absolutely unacceptable. Improving water quality is a high priority for the Government, which is why we have launched an…12 Jan 2023HANSARDEnvironment Agency Budget: Sewage DischargeThat is yet another measure that has been put in place. There is a requirement now for water companies to report all discharges from storm sewage overflows with dates and…12 Jan 2023HANSARDEnvironment Agency Budget: Sewage DischargeMy hon. Friend is such a strong advocate for her area. I absolutely love going swimming down there. She is right that the latest statistics show that 72% of our bathing waters are…12 Jan 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsYes. I also thank my hon. Friend for his work as the local MP; all our local MPs got involved in this, as did DEFRA’s emergency team. I met the chief executive officer of South…12 Jan 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsYes, the Minister does think that the current regulation is fit for purpose, but many tweaks and improvements are made to ensure that it is working properly. That is why, under…12 Jan 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe hon. Lady raises the important point that the whole catchment is involved in flooding; this is about not just where the flooding occurs at the bottom, but where it comes from.…12 Jan 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsI thank my hon. Friend for raising that important point, which highlights not only the role of local authorities in air quality, but ensuring that these action plans are reviewed…12 Jan 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsWithin our budgets, we have the coastal erosion fund, of which my hon. Friend is aware. The pier is a very specific case. Of course, I would be happy to meet him to discuss this.12 Jan 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsI thank the hon. Lady for her question. We had a recent debate on this subject. It is astounding that these disposable vapes are being literally littered. Measures include our…12 Jan 2023HANSARDDraft Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (Exemptions) (Fees) Regulations 2022I thank the shadow Minister, the hon. Member for Newport West, for saying that she and her team will support the draft regulations. As ever, she asked some pertinent questions.…12 Dec 2022HANSARDDraft Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (Exemptions) (Fees) Regulations 2022I beg to move, That the Committee has considered the draft Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (Exemptions) (Fees) Regulations 2022. It is,…12 Dec 2022HANSARDDraft Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (Exemptions) (Fees) Regulations 2022It is important to keep our businesses on board and to engage with them, as has been done all the way along. Guidance will be issued in the new year, so all should become clear.…12 Dec 2022HANSARDWaste Incineration: Permit VariationThat issue was also raised by the shadow Minister, the hon. Member for Leeds North West (Alex Sobel). DEFRA has no plans to introduce a moratorium on new energy-from-waste…01 Dec 2022HANSARDWaste Incineration: Permit VariationIt is a pleasure to see you in the Chair, Mr Efford. I thought this was going to be a short debate, but it has been very full, hasn’t it? We have had a great amount of detail and…01 Dec 2022HANSARDDisposable Vapes: Environmental ImpactI get the hon. Member’s point, but I was trying to make the point that there are a lot of regulations and obligations in place, so we need to ensure that those work effectively…29 Nov 2022