§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what quantity of waste, in the last year in which figures are available, was imported for direct landfill within the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. BaldryThe last year for which figures are available is 1 April 1989 to 31 March 1990 when 140 tonnes of hazardous waste were imported into England for direct landfill.
The provision of similar information for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is a matter for my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Wales, the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland respectively.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment in what quantities per nation annually European toxic waste has been imported by the United Kingdom for each year since 1979.
§ Mr. BaldryInformation on the importation of waste by country of origin into the United Kingdom is available only since the introduction of the Transfrontier Shipment of Hazardous Waste Regulations in October 1988.
The information in respect of imports of waste from European Community states through English ports for the financial years (1 April to 31 March) 1988–89 and 1989–90 is shown in the following table.
The provision of similar information for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is a matter for my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Wales, the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland respectively.
99W
Country of origin Waste imported (tonnes) 1988–89 1989–90 Belgium 3,961 5,757 Denmark 185 49 Federal Republic of Germany 0 885 France 0 16 Greece 0 5 Republic of Ireland 261 1,704 Italy 273 1,851 Luxembourg 0 17 Netherlands 5,224 10,663 Portugal 0 73 Spain 0 241
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what specific action he is taking to identify the nature of all waste in transit.
§ Mr. BaldryThe Transfrontier Shipment of Hazardous Waste Regulations 1988 control imports and exports. Under these regulations hazardous waste in transit must be accompanied by documents identifying the waste. The proposed European Council regulation on the supervision and control of shipments of waste within, into and out of the European Community is expected to replace the 1988 regulations. The proposal covers all waste, except non-hazardous waste for recycling. The proposal includes provision for all waste in transit to be accompanied by identifying documents. Movements of special waste within England, Scotland and Wales are controlled under the Special Waste Regulations 1980. These regulations require that appropriate documents identify waste in transit. Under the new duty of care in the Environmental Protection Act 1990 adequate written descriptions will have to be transferred with all consignments of controlled waste (except for household waste produced in a domestic property).