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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Health and Safety Executive on updating regulations to ensure that suitable means for the disposal of sanitary dressings is provided in all toilets.

This is an important issue which impacts many people, including those affected by prostate cancer treatment. The Government encourages local authorities to consider such provision in public toilets to support those with this need but does not have powers to compel the provision of sanitary bins in public toilets. I would encourage the hon. Member to raise the issue locally. The Secretary of State has regular discussions with the Government’s arm’s-length bodies, including the Health and Safety Executive, on a range of issues.