§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will seek powers to prohibit the importation of contaminated soil and other waste from the continent to Wales.
§ Mr. GristThe Government believe that the provision of waste disposal services is a legitimate and proper element of international trade provided that adequate safeguards are in existence to ensure that there is no danger to public health or the environment.
§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much domestic waste, contaminated soil and238W other waste has been imported in 1986, 1987 and 1988 from (a) the continent, (b) Holland and (c) other sources into (i) Wales and (ii) Clwyd; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has of the impact upon human, animal and plant life consequent upon the disposal of contaminated soil from Holland at a site near Gresford, Clwyd; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GristI refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answer given on 3 December 1987. I was fully satisfied before the consignment was allowed to be imported from Holland that there would be no adverse impact upon human, animal or plant life and I was assured by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution, on advice from Wrexham Maelor borough council, that the disposal site in question was appropriately licensed to receive the waste.
§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the substances that contaminated the soil exported from Holland to Gresford, Clwyd, via Mostyn docks; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GristThe soil contained very low levels of copper, lead, zinc, cadmium, nickel, chromium, arsenic, antimony and mercury.