§ Mr. William Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether radioactive or toxic waste is transported from other areas and dumped in Warwickshire, including Coventry; and what are the quantities involved in annual terms.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsNo authorisations have been issued by my Department under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960 for the disposal of radioactive waste arising in other areas for burial in Warwickshire, including Coventry. Other58W types of waste arising outside the area are known to be disposed of to land in Warwickshire through the operation of the notification procedure under the Deposit of Poisonous Waste Act which came into operation on 3rd August 1972. Section 5(4) of the Act places a duty on local authorities to keep records relating to the description and quantities of notifiable wastes which are deposited from time to time in their area and the places where such waste is deposited. Such records are not maintained centrally. Movement across county boundaries is part of a national pattern which reflects commercial arrangements, the uneven distribution of sites suitable for industrial wastes and a greater readiness of some local authorities to accept such waste. The intention in due course to introduce legislation to provide for greater co-ordination of and control over waste disposal facilities has already been announced.