§ Mr. OnslowTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will review the regulations for the storage of toxic wood preservatives of the type which have polluted the River Bourne in Woking.
§ Mr. TrippierI am satisfied that the existing controls over the storage of toxic wood preservatives are extensive and sufficiently comprehensive in most circumstances. In the case of the incident on the River Bourne at Woking, the cause is still under investigation by the local constabulary.
The storage of wood preservatives is covered by the general provisions of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act, 1974. More specifically, wood preservatives are subject to the Control of Pesticides Regulations (COPR) made under the Food and Environment Protection Act, 1985. Certain timber treatment activities are also subject to the requirements of the Control of Industrial Major Accident Hazards Regulations, 1984, which aim to prevent and mitigate the consequences of major accidents to people or the environment. These regulations are due to be amended later this year to comply with the second amendment to the "Seveso" directive (82/501/EEC) to include additional premises storing toxic substances such as wood preservatives.