Baroness Knight of Collingtree
Main Page: Baroness Knight of Collingtree (Conservative - Life peer)Department Debates - View all Baroness Knight of Collingtree's debates with the HM Treasury
(12 years, 6 months ago)
Lords ChamberI am very happy to learn a bit more about this subject. I thank the noble Baroness.
My Lords, when my noble friend is considering this matter—bearing in mind all that has been said and the dramatic diminution in the use of plastic—will he also bear in mind that for many people shopping is quite difficult and hazardous? Even if you are only on a very modest diet of bread and butter, butter and bread have gone up a very great deal and it is a little hard for many people to have to pay increased amounts for the things they really must have to live, and then pay again to put it in bags to take it away because they cannot carry it all by hand.
My Lords, this is true, although I note that as early as 1997, Waitrose introduced its “bag for life” scheme; for 10p it sells a bag that is replaced free of charge when it is worn out. There are imaginative schemes out there that supermarkets are taking on which will not incur large costs for the consumer.