§ 4. Mr. Murphyasked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will meet the management of Rechem International to discuss the implications for the local environment of the operation of its plant at Pontypool.
§ Mr. GristThe plant is closely monitored by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution and no useful purpose would be served by such a meeting.
§ Mr. MurphyI thank the Minister for his useful reply. However, will he investigate reports that large shipments of hazardous waste are being transported secretly from Australia and New Zealand to that plant, causing much anxiety to my constituents? Does he agree that Torfaen is fast becoming the dumping ground for the world's poisons?
§ Mr. GristClearly, the hon. Gentleman has taken up where his predecessor left off, which, in some respects, I regret to say, is to continue to alarm some of his constituents unduly. The practice and rules under which waste products from abroad are treated are exactly the same as those for treating home-produced waste.