HC Deb 22 May 1990 vol 173 c253

Considered in Committee.

[SIR PAUL DEAN in the Chair]

Clauses 1 to 41 agreed to.

Schedule agreed to.

Bill reported, without amendment.

Order for Third Reading read.

Motion made, and Question proposed, That the Bill be now read the Third time.—[Mr. Garel-Jones]

9.11 pm
Mr. Jeremy Corbyn (Islington, North)

I think that you were present during the Committee stage of the Bill, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I did not seek to intervene in that process. I realise that the Bill is a consolidation and, therefore, narrow measure. We must be narrow in our remarks. That is a great shame in view of the deep anxiety of many people about the transport of hazardous wastes by road, rail, through the channel tunnel or in other ways, and the pollution caused, such as the pollution of the Devon beaches.

I wonder whether the Solicitor-General, who is clearly privy to all that is going on at the centre of the Government, can inform the House when there will be a new piece of legislation to give greater protection to our environment and our population from the dangers—

Mr. Deputy Speaker (Sir Paul Dean)

Order. We must deal with this Bill. It is not in order to invite Mr. Solicitor-General to comment on another Bill that may or may not be introduced.

Mr. Corbyn

I appreciate your advice, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Perhaps I could put it another way through you. When the Solicitor-General replies to this, probably short debate—although other hon. Members may wish to speak—perhaps he could tell the House whether he is entirely satisfied with the existing forms of protection for the general population and our environment and the protection in the Bill in the matter of the transport and disposal of hazardous wastes.

The Solicitor-General must be aware that there is deep anxiety throughout the country on that matter.

Mr. Deputy Speaker

Order. As skilful as Mr. Solicitor-General is, he would find it difficult to comment on that and remain within the rules of order.

The Solicitor-General (Sir Nicholas Lyell)

You do me almost more honour than I deserve, Mr. Deputy Speaker. The only point that I wish to make—I doubt that I shall remain within the rules of order in making it—is that the Government have taken particular care of the environment. I commend to the hon. Member for Islington, North (Mr. Corbyn) the White Paper that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment is likely to produce later this year.

Question put and agreed to.

Bill read the Third time, and passed, without amendment.