§ 64. Mr. Urwinasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received concerning the proposal to dump industrial toxic waste materials underground at Silks worth Colliery; what replies he has sent; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe Department has received a total of 10 letters and there have also been references to the proposal in this House. Replies to these representations have stated that officials of the Department are willing to give advice if so requested by the parties involved, but that this must be without prejudice to the decision on any application under the Water Resources Act, 1963, or the Town and Country Planning Acts which may come formally before me.
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§ 88. Mr. Urwinasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many disused mineshafts are currently being used for the disposal of industrial toxic waste materials; where they are sited; and if he is satisfied that public health and safety are fully safeguarded in all cases.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerNo such comprehensive information is available but in circular 37/22 I announced the arrangements for a national review of waste disposal facilities and explained that information about tipping sites within the ownership of the National Coal Board would be obtained directly by the Department. Discussions with it over detailed arrangements for this are in hand and these discussions will of course cover the use of disused mines for industrial waste disposal.
A proposal to use mineshafts for waste disposal would require planning permission. This is a matter for the local planning authority which would undoubtedly have regard to public health and safety factors in coming to a decision.
§ Mr. Urwinasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with the National Coal Board on the use of disused coal mines for disposal of industrial toxic waste materials; and what has been the outcome.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerConsultations are at an early stage. Both the National Coal Board and the Department of the Environment are concerned that disused mines shall be used for the disposal of toxic waste materials only when this can be done with safety; and that all proposals shall be assessed in the light of expert technical advice.
§ Mr. Urwinasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if it is his intention to act upon the advice tendered to him by the Institution of Chemical Engineers to prohibit the depositing of industrial toxic waste materials in old underground workings;
(2) what is his policy in respect of present and future applications relating to proposals to deposit industrial toxic waste materials in old underground workings.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe provisional code of practice for the disposal of 313W wastes issued by the Institution of Chemical Engineers contained a recommendation that underground disposal should be discouraged. It must be recognised, however, that there are other views which need to be taken into account. The Department's Technical Committee on the Disposal of Solid Toxic Wastes suggested that there could be safe and successful use of disused mineshafts provided they were both deep and dry and that given these conditions and good operation this could well be the most rewarding use after mining has been abandoned. As geological and operational conditions can vary greatly, each proposal must be treated on its merits within the framework of existing legislation.
§ Mr. Urwinasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will indicate the measure of progress so far achieved in discussion with industry on the recycling of industrial toxic waste materials.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe recycling of industrial wastes is, of course, primarily a matter for the industries concerned. I hope that the Deposit of Poisonous Waste Act, 1972, will stimulate industry to consider all opportunities for the recycling of wastes or for their detoxification before disposal.
§ Mr. Urwinasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to ensure prevention of spillage from vehicles when toxic waste is being transported to dumping grounds.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerUnder the Pharmacy and Poisons Act, 1933, certain poisons may not be consigned for transport without adequate packing to avoid spillages, and my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary is considering the possibility of wider controls in the context of the conveyance of dangerous substances by road generally.