§ 56 and 67. Mr. David Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether he approved the decision of the Hampshire County Council to dump approximately 5,000 cubic yards of cyanide-poisoned earth in the village gravel pit at Headley; and how long he estimates it will be before the affected earth will cease to be poisonous;
(2) if he will take steps to ensure that county councils consult district councils before dumping dangerous materials in their localities.
§ Mr. Graham PageThis emergency operation did not require my approval. I have no reason to doubt that, in normal circumstances, district councils would be consulted. I understand the method of disposal was in accordance with the recommendations of the Committee on the Disposal of Solid Toxic Wastes and after expert advice had been obtained from the Thames Conservancy. I am not able to say how long the affected material, already believed to be 20 years old, will remain poisonous.