§ 20. Mr. ButlerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the impact on the trunk roads network in Merseyside of increased heavy vehicle movements consequent upon the importation of American waste for dumping in Warrington.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyNone.
§ Mr. ButlerWill my hon. Friend now proceed to such an assessment, given that 600 22-tonne lorry movements will be involved every day from Liverpool to Warrington for five years, bringing in 7½ million tonnes of rubbish to my constituency? Does he not think that that is an unacceptable strain on the road network in the area?
§ Mr. BottomleyMy hon. Friend would be on stronger ground if he were to refer the House, as I will, to the clear statement made by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Environment on 30 June. I imagine that some cases involve a Department of Transport interest, but it is worth noting that those issues are mainly the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, with some important aspects for my right hon. Friends the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Secretary of State for Social Services.