§ 7. Dr. HowellsTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what funding has been earmarked in 1994–95 for the removal of toxic waste deposits from former industrial sites in Wales.
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesApproximately £12 million.
§ Dr. HowellsIs the Minister aware that throughout industrial Wales many people are forced to live alongside sites that contain industrial toxic waste? Is he further aware that many of those sites, such as that at Coedely in my constituency, resulted from the activities of the National Coal Board and British Coal, yet the same directors who are running down British Coal, who are closing mines and who closed the mine at Coedely and others will be allowed to pick the cherries of the industry without having to pick up the cost of the filthy tips? The cost of putting them right will fall on hard-pressed local authorities such as Mid-Glamorgan. When will the Minister stand up for the people of Wales and ensure that money is made available to remove this filth from our landscape?
§ Mr. JonesAs I have said, approximately £12 million is available for such measures in the current year. I understand that the specific case of Coedely is a matter for the Welsh Development Agency, for the hon. Gentleman's local authority of Taff Ely borough council and for Mid-Glamorgan county council, which are giving it the most serious consideration and are ensuring that appropriate arrangements are in hand. I remind him that, under the first programme for the valleys, 2,600 acres throughout the valleys of south Wales have been cleared—a record which can compare with the best in Europe.
§ Mr. DickensWhat steps has the Welsh Office taken to identify contaminated land across Wales?
§ Mr. JonesThe Welsh Office is keenly interested in this matter. It has already conducted two reviews and the matter will continue to receive its closest attention.