MP's incinerator warning

IN HIS first speech to the House of Commons as LibDem Shadow Environment Secretary, Lewes MP Norman Baker has warned the Government against introducing incinerators 'by the back door' at sites like Newhaven.
By The Newsroom
Published 19th Dec 2002, 12:00 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 22:52 BST

Mr Baker also pressed his case in a private meeting earlier in the day with Environment Minister Michael Meacher.

Newhaven is being earmarked by Tory-controlled East Sussex County Council as the place for a burner to dispose of Brighton and Hove's rubbish.

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More than 13,000 people have objected to the proposals contained in the waste plan.

A public inquiry begins next year, but this has been arranged for Lewes rather than Newhaven.

Mr Baker told MPs that failure to promote recycling, coupled with a forthcoming rise in landfill tax, was driving local authorities into the arms of incineration.

He urged the Government to use financial incentives to promote recycling and re-using while discouraging councils from adopting incineration.

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And he said later: 'There is no shortage of money to fund doorstep recycling. What's missing is political will from the Government.

'Many of my constituents could be in the firing line of an incinerator in Newhaven which they don't want. The wave of popular opposition to the scheme reflects this.

'I would like to see all plans for incinerators halted and investment in recycling made an immediate priority.

'I raised these concerns with the Environment Minister and shall continue to put pressure on the Government to implement more sustainable energy and waste strategies'

Related topics:Norman BakerNewhavenGovernmentHouse of Commons