§ Mr. ThurnhamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of hospital waste is incinerated; what controls exist to ensure its proper disposal, together with the disposal of non high-risk waste matter; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThere are no centrally collected figures for hospital waste. Disposal outside hospital premises including mixture with other wastes must be to sites suitably licensed under the Control of Pollution Act 1974. Incineration is subject to appropriate controls over emissions from combustion processes. For disposal within hospital premises the Government expect health authorities to seek to confirm with the same controls despite the existence of Crown immunity.