HC Deb 15 June 1973 vol 857 cc419-20W
Mr. John

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when his Department first received a report indicating the possible presence of the chemical TOCP at Maendy Quarry.

Mr. Peter Thomas

On 8th June when reports were received from the Department's advisers in the Directorate General of Water Engineering in London and also from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, which had that day received telephone calls from a consultant acting for farmers in the area reporting his analyst's identification of the substance. In subsequent telephone inquiries it was established that the precise levels had not been determined and a request was made to the consultant for a copy of the analyst's report and all relevant details.

Mr. John

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to receive the results of the analysis of seepage from Maendy Quarry from the Water Pollution Research Laboratory.

Mr. Peter Thomas

I have received some preliminary figures of the determination of some chemicals including polychlorinated biphenyls. They are as follows:

organic carbon (mg/litre) PCB (microgram litre) arsenic (mg/litre)
Maendy East side 860 0.04 0.038
Maendy West side 530 0.11 0.034
Stream below Maendy 14 0.03 nil

Others will be available shortly. In addition, the WPRL is to carry out long-term research work at the quarry.

Mr. John

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish the reports of the Glamorgan county analyst, dated 13th June 1972, relating to Maendy Quarry and received by his office.

Mr. Peter Thomas

I understand that the report is available on application to the county analyst and I have placed a copy in the Library.

Mr. John

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the known suppliers of toxic materials which were dumped at Maendy and Brofiskin Quarries.

Mr. Peter Thomas

A full list is not available but I understand that the firms whose waste material was tipped at the site included Monsanto Ltd. which has provided a comprehensive list of the materials tipped.

Mr. Gower

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what levels of TOCP and polychlorinated biphenyls have been found in milk samples from the vicinity of Maendy Quarry.

Mr. Peter Thomas

The laboratory of the Government Chemist has carried out tests but to date has been unable to find any trace of TOCP in milk. Tests to a limit of detection of 0.2 parts per million have failed to detect PCBs.