Plastics Recycling
Debate between Lord Gardiner of Kimble and Lord Swinfen(5 years ago)
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Lord Gardiner of Kimble
We sometimes need to be careful about unintended consequences, which is why we have considered biodegradable and bio-based plastics. Some 13.5 billion plastic bottles are used in the UK each year; the current household recycling rate for them is 70%. Thirty per cent is not good, but I will take back what my noble friend has said because that is quite a lot of bottles to recycle.
Lord Swinfen (Con)
What is being done to clear up the large number of plastic bottles and other containers that are discarded alongside rural roads?
Lord Gardiner of Kimble
My Lords, it is a question of education and awareness. How do we discourage the one in five people in our great country who actually admit that they drop litter? I understand the pressures on local authorities and volunteers who, like me, pick up litter, but this situation is unacceptable. The truth is that we will crack this thoroughly only when everyone in the country, starting from the next generation, thinks that it is not acceptable to drop litter.
British Board of Film Classification
Debate between Lord Gardiner of Kimble and Lord Swinfen
Lord Gardiner of Kimble
My Lords, I have sympathy with my noble friend. Childhood at whatever age is a very precious time of our lives and children should be able to enjoy it. It is important that the Government should work with parents because their first priority and responsibility is looking after their children. It is obvious that online content is troubling many parents, so that is why we are working to set up internet parental controls and are working with wi-fi providers on a number of issues. In that way, we can ensure that children do not see inappropriate content.
Lord Swinfen
My Lords, new products are being developed at an ever increasing rate. Will the Government ensure that the regulations are drafted in such a way that they can be easily and quickly updated to deal with new products coming on to the market and so safeguard our children?
Lord Gardiner of Kimble
My Lords, it is very much a feature of technology moving so fast that we also need to ensure that the checks and controls are appropriately calibrated so that whatever happens with technological advances children do not see inappropriate content, which is what we want to ensure.
Arbitration and Mediation Services (Equality) Bill [HL]
Debate between Lord Gardiner of Kimble and Lord Swinfen
Lord Gardiner of Kimble
My Lords, I am delighted to agree with my noble friend. I shall certainly raise those matters that he raised as well as those points that all noble Lords have expressed in this debate.
Lord Swinfen
Before my noble friend sits down, could he answer the question that I asked when I spoke as to what the Government are doing to ensure that mosques are licensed to carry out marriages and that there is a civil document for those who are married rather than a purely religious document which is not valid in English law?
Lord Gardiner of Kimble
My Lords, as I have said, the Government are working with faith groups. One of the points that will be considered is that some mosques are registered but not all. I certainly think that this is an interesting way forward.