§ Lord Cocks of Hartcliffe asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ What action they are taking or intend to take to control the importation of hazardous waste into the United Kingdom.
The Minister of State, Department of the Environment (The Earl of Caithness)My Lords, at present the import of special waste is controlled through a consignment note raised when the shipment is landed in the United Kingdom. It is intended to lay regulations in Parliament before the Summer Recess to implement the EC Directive on the Transfrontier Shipment of Hazardous Waste which will strengthen these provisions.
§ Lord Cocks of HartcliffeMy Lords, I thank the noble Earl for that forthcoming reply and ask him to accept from me that there is widespread concern about this matter. There have been allegations that our regulations are among the slackest in Western Europe. Therefore I hope that the noble Earl will pursue this matter with the utmost urgency. Perhaps I may have his assurance that it will be so dealt with.
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, I assure the noble Earl and the House that our standards are not the slackest in Europe. We take great care, and it is up to the waste disposal authority to ensure that the standards are maintained and implemented in accordance with the legislation.
§ Lord Cledwyn of PenrhosMy Lords, will the noble Earl confirm that the authority is subject to the planning laws of this country and to the activities of local planning authorities?
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, the noble Lord the Leader of the Opposition is right, in that when an application is made to dispose of waste by landfill, then there is the planning aspect to be taken into account.
§ Lord Graham of EdmontonMy Lords, will the Minister explain to the House how in 1981 we imported 40,000 tonnes of toxic waste, and yet in 1986 to 1987 this has risen to 400,000 tonnes? Can the Minister explain why some countries find it preferable and cheaper to export their waste to this country?
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, the import of special waste in 1986 was 3.5 per cent. of the United Kingdom special waste arising. That is 53,000 tonnes which was imported. It is a specialist industry. We 178 have a great deal of experience and are exporting a specialist and knowledgeable way of handling it.
The Earl of HalsburyMy Lords, are the figures which the Minister is giving us exclusive or inclusive of nuclear waste?
§ Lord GregsonMy Lords, is the noble Earl aware that there are now reports of imported hazardous waste going to landfill with co-disposal? Is the noble Earl also aware that a committee of this House strongly recommended that imported hazardous waste should not go to landfill? Further, is he aware that that waste will now have to be monitored for at least 25 years by local authorities at the expense of the ratepayer?
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, if there are allegations that imported waste is going straight to landfill without being treated, and if any of your Lordships bring such allegations to my attention, that is something I shall look into.