§ Mr. Win GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish immediately the report prepared by Her Majesty's pollution inspectorate on waste tip gas explosion dangers; and if he will make a statement on the scale of danger of methane gas explosions and waste tips and the remedial measures he proposes to take.
§ Mr. MoynihanHer Majesty's inspectorate of pollution is analysing the replies from waste disposal authorities to its letter of December 1987 on landfill gas. It will report their conclusions to the Secretary of State in due course. It plans to issue advice in the autumn on the remedial action to be taken in cases where the disposal authority identifies a risk.
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what negotiations he intends to introduce to enforce a higher standard of safety of rubbish tips generating a build up of methane gas; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MoynihanThe Control of Pollution Act 1974 places a duty on waste disposal authorities to license disposal facilities so that operations do not present a risk to public health. This enables waste disposal authorities to take whatever action is necessary to ensure the generation of landfill gas is fully controlled. However, further advice is being prepared as a matter of urgency to guide the disposal authorities in licensing the management of landfill gas. This will be published in the form of a waste management paper in the autumn.