§ Mr. William Priceasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his officials have carried out any recent 338W inspection of the refuse tip at Stretton Lane, Wolston, near Coventry.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsYes. A senior chemist of the Department visited the site on 21st December. On 14th January, at the invitation of Rugby Rural District Council, six officials of the Department attended a meeting of public authorities and interested parties in Rugby to discuss allegations concerning the dumping of drums of toxic waste on this tip. It has been decided that sampling by the Severn River Authority of surface water and shallow wells in the area will be intensified but there is no evidence that water supplies have been contaminated. Core samples are being taken at Wolston to determine whether there are toxic substances present in sufficient quantities to constitute a hazard to public health.
§ Mr. William Priceasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether he is satisfied with the regulations governing the dumping of waste materials on refuse tips; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what plans he has to tighten regulations covering the dumping of waste materials on refuse tips.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsMy right hon. Friend is not satisfied with the present arrangements and intends to take early action to strengthen them. Following the reports of the Technical Committee on Disposal of Solid Toxic Waste and the Working Party on Refuse Disposal, Codes of Practice were issued as Appendices to Circular 26 dated 27th April, 1971, to all local authorities, and copies of the circular were made available to members of the National Association of Waste Disposal Contractors. Appendix B to the Circular was specifically concerned with the operation of tips receiving toxic wastes to reduce the risk of pollution from them. But, being advisory, it does not have the force of law. Proposals for a new authorisation procedure to be operated as a statutory duty by the new county councils for the disposal or treatment of all wastes to land are under urgent consideration.
§ Mr. William Priceasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those materials which it is illegal to dump on refuse tips.
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§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsWhilst planning control can impose restrictions on the operation of a tip, including the nature and amount of the materials to be tipped, there is, at the present time, no list of materials which it is illegal to dispose of on tips approved for waste disposal purposes; offences might nevertheless be committed if there were a breach of some other code of law such as that relating to water pollution, nuisance and negligence. The Secretary of State is satisfied that there is a need for greater control, and intends to bring forward the necessary legislation.
The Institution of Chemical Engineers and the National Association of Waste Disposal Contractors are working on a Code of Conduct for disposal and my Department has been invited to be associated with their work. Specific advice was given in Circular 26/71 as to the operation of tips receiving toxic wastes to reduce the risk of pollution from them.