§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to ensure the prompt and effective disposal of clinical waste. [20660]
§ Mr. ClappisonThe disposal of clinical waste is already strictly controlled by existing legislation.
Responsibility for the safe disposal of clinical waste rests with the waste producer. The producer is under a duty of care to ensure that waste is prevented from escaping and to transfer it only to someone who is legally authorised to accept it. Authorised persons includes waste carries registered under the Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989 and persons who hold a waste management licence issued under part II of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
High-risk health-care waste should usually be disposed of by incineration-in a dedicated health-care incinerator. Where waste is made safe-for instance, by heat treatment-it can be landfilled.
New guidance on the handling and disposal of clinical waste will be issued by the Department of the Environment in a new edition of waste management paper No. 25.
§ Mr. McLeishTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the(a) contractors and (b) NHS hospital trusts involved in the disposal of medical waste which are currently being investigated by the Health and Safety Executive. [20766]
§ Sir Paul Beresford[holding answer 14 March 1997]: The Health and Safety Executive is not currently investigating any contractors or NHS trusts in connection with the disposal of clinical waste.
§ Mr. McLeishTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what review the Health and Safety Executive is undertaking of medical waste management procedures. [20767]
§ Sir Paul Beresford[holding answer 14 March 1996]: None. This is primarily a matter for other enforcing authorities.
§ Mr. McLeishTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the sites currently under investigation by the Health and Safety Executive where unauthorised medical waste has been tipped. [20765]
§ Sir Paul Beresford[holding answer 14 March 1996]: The Health and Safety Executive has no enforcement responsibility in respect of the unauthorised tipping of medical waste.