§ 51. Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of the fact that over half a million tons of toxic material is dumped inland in the United Kingdom annually, he has made a study of the dangers of contamination, in that two-thirds of Great Britain's drinking water comes from underground sources or from lowland rivers.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsSafeguarding water supplies from these and other hazards is part of the regular and normal conduct of water undertakings. The problem was amongst those examined by the Committee on the Disposal of Solid Toxic Wastes and, as announced earlier, my right hon. Friend is taking action to strengthen controls over such wastes.
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§ 60. Mr. William Priceasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to introduce legislation to control the dumping of toxic materials.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsToday.
§ Mr. Leslie Huckfieldasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement about the further discoveries in the Midlands of dumped toxic waste materials.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsPolice investigations are proceeding into several cases involving the dumping of toxic wastes on sites in the Midlands. The locations, some of which are tips which have been approved for waste disposal purposes, have been notified to the appropriate local authorities to enable them to take whatever action is necessary.
§ Sir Robin Turtonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the discovery of cyanide waste on the rubbish tip at Cockerhill Quarry, near Wombleton, North Yorkshire, and assure the House that any consequent health hazards have been eliminated.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsI understand that the Yorkshire Ouse and Hull River Authority have recently monitored this tip and surrounding water courses, and tests are continuing. Only one of several samples contained traces of cyanide—.009 parts per million, which is barely detectable and well below the internationally agreed limit.