§ Mr. Frank Cook (Stockton, North)I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 10, for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that should be given urgent consideration, namely,
the rapidly rising anxiety among the constituents of Stockton, North due to reports received in the last 24 hours that low-level radioactive waste has already been deposited on an open tip in the Billingham area.I consider the matter specific because this is an open council tip in daily use. It is situated in close proximity to major housing estates with many thousands of residents, and it is a site frequented by youngsters. I consider it important because the reports have already been confirmed today; they have been validated.The reports refer to two consignments of radioactive waste being placed on this open council site. The second consignment consisted of two 3-tonne lorry loads composed of 30 metal drums which were placed in a hole under the supervision of a Department of the Environment inspector who had been sent up from London. The 30 drums were covered by no more than 1 m of household rubbish.
I consider the matter urgent because, after the drums had been covered with 1 m of rubbish, the 20-tonne bulldozer which had dug the hole was driven back and forth across the rubbish to compact it, an exercise that may or may not have caused serious rupture to the buried drums and so have irradiated the water table throughout the area.
I consider the matter specific, important and urgent because the dumping of the consignment was authorised by the Department of the Environment exercising plenary powers and overruling the refusal of the local authority to grant planning permission. This practice runs counter in every respect to the assurances given to the House by the Secretary of State on 25 October. Already the site could have become a threat to the health of more than half the inhabitants of the Cleveland basin. I appeal to the House to help allay the justified and justifiable fears of the Cleveland community.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Gentleman has asked leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration, namely,
the rapidly rising anxiety among the constituents of Stockton, North due to the reports received in the last 24 hours that low-level radioactive waste has already been deposited on an open tip in the Billingham area.I fully understand the concern that this causes the hon. Member and his constituents. I have listened carefully to what he has said, but I regret that I do not consider the matter that he has raised as appropriate for discussion under Standing Order No. 10 and I cannot therefore submit his application to the House.
§ Mr. Ian Wrigglesworth (Stockton, South)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I am sure you are aware from previous comments in the House and from the statement that was made by the Secretary of State for the Environment a short time ago about the dumping of nuclear waste in Billingham that deep anxiety has been caused not only in both the Stockton constituencies, but throughout the whole of the Cleveland area. I should be 431 grateful if you could give guidance to us as to how we might raise this matter further in the House in an effort to give Ministers an opportunity to allay the very real fears of our constituents.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Gentleman has heard my ruling. I cannot go further than that. He has been here for many years and I am sure that he knows the opportunities that are available to Back Benchers to raise important matters.