§ Mr. BarnesI wish to present a petition, which arises from two incidents in which highly dangerous clouds of acid gas escaped in Killamarsh in my constituency. Following the first incident, I made a speech in the House on the matter on 20 May, but I was prevented from seeking a speech on the second incident, as I was rushed into hospital with a stroke on 4 June. I am pleased to be able now to press my constituents' justified concerns with this petition. It reads:
To the House of CommonsThe Petition of the residents of Killamarsh, N. E. DerbyshireDeclares that the siting of the Sarp UK plant (formerly Leigh Environmental) extremely close to centres of population—particularly two schools and a popular country park—is inherently dangerous. We call for its closure.Until this can be achieved, the Petitioners therefore request that the House of CommonIt is signed by Jane Holden of Nethermoor Lane, Killamarsh and 7,191 residents of the area. There are fewer people than that on the electoral register in Killamarsh, but we need to take into account the additional people living in the surrounding area.
- 1. Introduce legislation requiring provision of an off-site safety plan to warn the community of dangerous incidents; an
- 2. urge the Minister for the Environment to:
- a) refuse permission for any further developments or extensions of existing licences to Sarp UK or any other company operating on this site which may be requested of his Department;
- b) instruct the Health and Safety Executive to conduct a complete safety review of the plant; and
- c) instruct the Environment Agency to undertake constant monitoring of the operation of the plant, taking particular account of the gases and foul smells in the atmosphere regularly reported by residents, with a view to providing a complete cessation of these and the foul smells coming from the drains in the village
And the Petitioners remain, etc.
§ To lie upon the Table.
§ Madam SpeakerIt is good to see the hon. Member back.