HC Deb 21 December 1983 vol 51 cc415-6
5. Mr. Hal Miller

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied with the powers available to control tipping of domestic and industrial waste on agricultural land.

The Under-Secretary of State for the Environment (Mr. Neil Macfarlane)

Although the provisions of the general development order should be sufficient to control indiscriminate tipping of waste on agricultural land, there have been problem cases. We are currently considering changes to the order to tighten up controls.

Mr. Miller

I welcome that assurance, but I must ask my hon. Friend whether he accepts that advantage is being taken of the latitude that is given in schedule 1(6) to the general development order to tip domestic, industrial and even poisonous wastes which have no connection with agriculture, and that the welcome recovery from the recession has led to a most unwelcome resurgence in this activity?

Mr. Macfarlane

I am aware of my hon. Friend's anxiety over a number of years on this subject. He has drawn to my attention a number of specific examples in his constituency. I am well aware of the point that he makes and I am grateful to him for doing so. I know that abuses have been taking place, and that is why we have gone out to consultation on ways of toughening the controls. We are currently considering all the comments that we have received. I hope that early in 1984 we shall be able to tighten the controls sufficiently to meet the demands of my hon. Friend.

Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

Indiscriminate tipping causes a great deal of hardship to those who live near the areas where it takes place, and it presents a considerable safety hazard. It is often difficult to identify the material that has been dumped. It is important that the Government speedily conclude the consultation and introduce regulations to stop this obnoxious practice.

Mr. Macfarlane

I share the hon. Gentleman's view that there is a need energetically to complete the consultation. Technically, the GDO should provide several tests, which must be satisfied, for the tipping of waste on agricultural land if that is to count as permitted development. Abuses have taken place and that is why we have gone out speedily to consultation.

Mr. Robert Atkins

Will my hon. Friend take note of the concern that is being expressed in the constituency of my hon. Friend the Member for Chorley (Mr. Dover) and in my own constituency over the proposed tip ar. Ulnes Walton in the Chorley constituency which will involve the hazard of the tipping of asbestos? Many of the local residents are up in arms about the proposal. Will my hon. Friend ask the Under-Secretary' of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol, West (Mr. Waldegrave), to answer as quickly as possible the letters that we have both written to him?

Mr. Macfarlane

I take note of what my hon. Friend has said on behalf of his constituents and those of my hon. Friend the Member for Chorley (Mr. Dover). I shall not comment on the specific case, but I can confirm that my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol, West (Mr. Waldegrave), the Under-Secretary of State, will consider the problem.

Mr. Park

Is the Minister aware that his consultation will have to be considerably more widespread now that it is proposed to discontinue the metropolitan councils? Does he recognise that it will be necessary to have consultations with each of the district councils which go to make up the present county councils? This is another example of the scattering of functions that will follow the abolition of the metropolitan councils.

Mr. Macfarlane

I take the hon. Gentleman's point, which will be drawn to the attention of the appropriate officials.

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