§ 2. Mr. Johnasked the Secretary of State for Wales what investigations of illegal dumping of poisons on tips in Wales he has undertaken; and what evidence of such practices has come to light.
§ Mr. Gibson-WattThe investigation of illegal tipping of any type of material is primarily the responsibility of the local planning authority. The Government are not satisfied with the present arrangements and urgent consideration is being given to proposals for a new authorisation procedure.
§ Mr. JohnIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the tipping, whether legal or illegal, of toxic waste on two quarries in my constituency controlled by Purle Brothers has created pollution sufficient to cause the death of cattle? Does he not agree that that is a serious and urgent matter for investigation? Will he undertake, on behalf of the Government, early legislation to halt the tipping of toxic waste and in the meantime issue a guide line from the Welsh Office to local authorities to control this grave menace to the Welsh countryside?
§ Mr. Gibson-WattAs I said in my answer to the original Question, the Government are giving urgent consideration to new authorisation procedures. Welsh Office officials gave advice to the local planning authority in August, 1970, on the case to which the hon. Gentleman referred, following which Glamorgan County Council secured the agreement of the contractors involved that tipping at the sites would stop.