§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether sites other than Morton were used for dumping dioxin and associated debris after the explosion at Bolsover Coalite in 1968.
§ Mr. Giles ShawI do not have that information since it is the local authorities which are responsible for waste disposal and it is for them to decide whether the planning and public health provisions in force at the time were complied with.
§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will set up a public inquiry into the effects of dumping of dioxin in the North Derbyshire and Bolsover areas after the explosion at Bolsover Coalite in 1968.
§ Mr. Giles ShawNo. It is for the local authorities to ensure that old tipping sites present no danger to health. Adequate advice is available to them.
§ Mr. Raymond Ellisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment where dioxin and associated waste was dumped following the Bolsover Coalite explosion in 1968; whether he will take steps to ensure that no development takes place on these sites and that access to them is prevented; and whether he is satisfied that arrangements to monitor the effects of the material are sufficient to ensure the safety of the public.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe location of the material is not known to me: I am satisfied that the local planning authority has sufficient powers to control the development of this, as of other land. The protection of the public from health hazards is the responsibility of the appropriate local authority and I am satisfied likewise that its powers in this respect are adequate.