§ 41. Mr. J. H. Osbornasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether, in view of the need to dispose of contaminated medical waste on controlled tips in the Sheffield area because of the closure of an incineration plant, he will now extend the terms of reference of his Working Party on Refuse Disposal under the chairmanship of Mr. J. Sumner to include medical waste and contaminated articles from hospital and local health services.
§ Mr. SkeffingtonI am glad to inform the hon. Member that the terms of reference of the Working Party on Refuse Disposal are wide enough to cover these matters.
§ 42. Mr. J. H. Osbornasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what circulars he has already issued to local authorities, and, in view of recently disclosed practices in Sheffield, what advice he now intends to give local authorities about the disposal of contaminated medical waste, including human waste material, and infected articles from hospital, home nursing, and midwifery services, on controlled tips; and under what circumstances incineration is required as the means of disposal.
§ Mr. SkeffingtonI understand that appropriate sanitary precautions were taken in this instance, and all local authorities have expert professional advice on such matters from their medical officers of health. On the evidence available my right hon. Friend does not see the need to issue guidance.