Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the timetable for the introduction of a deposit return scheme for drinks containers; what use will be made of reverse vending machines as part of such a scheme; and what the respective roles of (1) industry, and (2) local government, will be in that scheme.

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.