§ Lord Campbell of Croy asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ Whether they can ensure that, where the safest and most suitable disposal of toxic wastes entails entry into the United Kingdom, all the arrangements for transport and detoxification are approved by the competent authorities and bodies concerned before the wastes begin their journey.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment (Lord Hesketh)My Lords, yes. Under the Transfrontier Shipment of Hazardous Waste Regulations 1988 the disposal authority receives pre-notification of a shipment before it begins its journey. The authority has power to prohibit the shipment if the disposal of the waste at the proposed facility would be contrary to the conditions of the disposal licence and if the transport of the shipment would lead to a breach of transport regulations.
Lord Campbell of CroyMy Lords, I thank my noble friend for his reply. It would be uncivil of me not to applaud also the lead taken by my noble friend Lord Caithness at the Basle conference in March immediately after a debate in your Lordships' House on a Motion of Mine. Since time must elapse before that convention can enter into force because 20 ratifications are needed, will the Government seek from now to act within the provisions of that new Basle convention?
§ Lord HeskethMy Lords, I am sure that your Lordships' House will be pleased to learn that Her Majesty's Government signed the convention last Friday, 6th October. Above and beyond the transfrontier shipment directive, as I am sure my noble friend Lord Campbell of Croy is aware, we have our own plans to change the law. The environmental protection Bill will enable regulations to be made empowering relevant authorities to control the export and import of all controlled waste.
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyMy Lords, I am sure that the whole House will be pleased to hear the news which the Minister has just given about the Government signing the convention. How many other nations are required to sign before ratification? When does he expect that ratification will take place?
§ Lord HeskethMy Lords, I believe that I am correct in saying that 20 nations have to sign. Obviously, until 20 nations have signed, ratification will not be able to proceed. However, it is hoped that all the Community members will be signing together, which will go a great way towards achieving that figure.
§ Lord Hailsham of Saint MaryleboneMy Lords, is it known how many nations, apart from Community nations, have signed to date or are expected to sign shortly?
§ Lord HeskethMy Lords, I believe that the only ratification outside the Community has been by Jordan.
§ Lord UnderhillMy Lords, I support the welcome for the Government's action already given by two noble Lords. Has the Minister seen the report of the working party of the Association of Metropolitan Authorities which looked into the whole question of the transport of dangerous substances by sea? If so, has a response been sent to the AMA? If not, when will it be sent?
§ Lord HeskethMy Lords, I am aware of the report but I do not have to hand the answer as to whether a response has been sent.
Lord Campbell of CroyMy Lords, will the Government also consider carefully the views expressed by environment ministers and others attending the international conference at the headquarters of the International Maritime Organisation in London last week?
§ Lord HeskethMy Lords, I certainly shall. The Minister of State for the Environment, as I am sure my noble friend Lord Campbell of Croy is aware, addressed the conference and is well aware of the outcome.
§ The Earl of KinnoullMy Lords, is my noble friend aware that the intervention made by my noble and learned friend Lord Hailsham happened to be on a very special birthday?
§ Lord HeskethMy Lords, I hope that we are preparing an ever cleaner world for my noble and learned friend.