§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how long the transitional period allowed for the replacement of existing hospital incinerators which do not meet the new proposed controls on emission will be; what is the normal life of a hospital incinerator; and what evidence he has concerning whether the private sector can dispose of clinical waste more efficiently or cheaply than health authorities.
§ Mrs. CurrieNo decision has yet been taken on the length of the transitional period, but it is intended to provide for the replacement of incinerators which are incapable of operating within the more stringent controls. Pending replacement health authorities will be required to upgrade the performance of their plant as near to the new standard as is practicable. I am advised that the average life of a hospital incinerator is 15 years.
Health authorities' decisions on how to dispose of clinical waste are made by local option appraisal. Since outcomes vary depending upon local circumstances it is not possible to generalise about the relative cost of in-house and private sector disposal.