REAL NAPPY WEEK

Early day motion 911, tabled 24 March 2004 by Desmond Swayne (Conservative). Signed by 90 members.

That this House congratulates the Women's Environmental Network on its organisation of Real Nappy Week, commencing 29th March, as part of their campaign to encourage the use of reusable cotton nappies; notes with concern the costs to the NHS of disposing of used disposable nappies as clinical waste and to local authorities of dealing with the three billion disposable nappies as clinical waste and to local authorities of dealing with the three billion disposable nappies being thrown away each year; appreciates ongoing work by several Government departments to address these problems but believes much more needs to be done to develop and implement a coordinated strategy; is particularly concerned by the heavy marketing of disposable nappies to new mothers through NHS maternity units to the exclusion of reusable nappies, notes that concern about these marketing practices has also been raised by the newly formed Nappy Alliance, representing providers of reusable nappies; and calls for determined action by Ministers to address the important issues of environmental impact, cost to local government and the national health service, free trade, informed choice, and local job creation raised by the heavy promotion of disposable nappies.

Signatures by party: Labour 43, Liberal Democrat 20, Conservative 12, Labour/Co-operative 8, Plaid Cymru 3, DUP 1, Independent Conservative 1, Scottish National Party 1, UUP 1.