§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he will take to improve safety standards relating to the transport of non-ferrous waste; and if he will take action to ensure the availability of guideline precautions for handling such waste materials while in transit.
§ Mr. Kenneth Carlisle"Non-ferrous" materials are not a discrete category of waste and there are no special provisions governing their transport. There are however safety regulations for the transport of dangerous goods,524W including new regulations which have just come into force; regulations for the transport of radio-active materials; and regulations requiring the proper securing of loads on vehicles, which will be reinforced by measures coming into force later this year. We have no present proposals to expand these provisions further.
These regulations are distinct from the registration of carriers provisions introduced under the Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989, for which my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment is responsible. Controlled waste may only be transported by a carrier registered with a waste regulation authority, unless specifically exempted by regulations. The duty of care provisions under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 make it an offence to give waste to a carrier who is not registered or exempt.