§ Sir Bernard BraineTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list his powers to prevent toxic waste from the European Community or other countries overseas being imported for disposal in Great Britain; and if he has any plans to seek further powers to deal with the rising threat to the environment from such waste disposal.
§ Mr. MoynihanThe Control of Pollution Act 1974 provides powers for the Secretary of State to make regulations to prohibit or restrict the import of any substance if it is appropriate to do so to prevent damage to persons, animals or plants or pollution of air, water or land. Imports of special waste are of course subject to the Control of Pollution (Special Waste) Regulations 1980 on arrival in this country. I propose to lay regulations to implement the directive on transfrontier shipment of hazardous wastes before the summer recess.