Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Gove and John Grogan

Thursday 9th May 2019 Commons Chamber

[Michael Gove]

My hon. Friend makes an important point. We will be able to continue to invoke the Hague preference in certain circumstances, and it is vital that we do so in defence of our interests.

[John Grogan (Keighley) (Lab)]

6. What assessment he has made of the potential merits of a moratorium on new waste incineration plants to promote recycling.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Gove and John Grogan

Thursday 28th March 2019 Commons Chamber

[Michael Gove]

It is a good Bill, and I am a cat owner. Let’s bring it on.

[John Grogan (Keighley) (Lab)]

Most studies now indicate that we have an excess of incineration capacity to deal with residual waste. Is there not a danger that, if we build more incinerators, waste that would otherwise be recycled will be diverted to those incinerators?

[Michael Gove]

That is a fair point.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Gove and John Grogan

Thursday 18th October 2018 Commons Chamber

[Michael Gove]

My right hon. Friend is absolutely correct. First, I should congratulate Liv Garfield of Severn Trent Water for the progressive measures that she has taken, which my right hon. Friend mentions. More broadly, the challenge of climate change—as graphically pointed out by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and by the chair of the Environment Agency, Sir James Bevan—requires us all to take further steps to make sure that our communities are safe.

[John Grogan (Keighley) (Lab)]

Is the Secretary of State concerned about the quantity of raw sewage that is being discharged into our rivers by many water companies?

[Michael Gove]

Yes, absolutely. Remedial action must be taken.

--- Later in debate ---

[Michael Gove]

I was grateful to my hon. Friend for raising his constituents’ concerns about the condition of the River Windrush, and he is absolutely right to do so. We have subsequently got a commitment through Ofwat, the regulator, for all water companies to spend more on making sure that the environment that they safeguard is protected.

[John Grogan (Keighley) (Lab)]

T4. Does the Secretary of State agree with those experts who argue that the UK has sufficient incineration capacity and that to increase it further could imperil recycling rates?

[Michael Gove]

The balance between the two is delicate. What we must do is recycle more.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Gove and John Grogan

Thursday 7th June 2018 Commons Chamber

[John Grogan (Keighley) (Lab)]

T2. Given the recent report that indicated there is an excess of incineration capacity in the United Kingdom, which is discouraging recycling, is there not a case now for a tax on incineration, or even a moratorium on new incinerators?

[Michael Gove]

I know that my right hon. Friend the Chancellor will look with interest at that submission for the forthcoming Budget.