§ Mr. Newensasked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will take immediate steps to ascertain that the conditions under which TCDD compounds are manufactured in the United Kingdom provide for the fullest possible safeguards against accidents, in the light of recent experiences in Italy;
(2) if he will make a statement on the manufacture of TCDD compounds in the United Kingdom indicating the quantities involved and the purposes for which they are used;
(3) what study he has made of the recent escape of TCDD in Italy; and if he will review the situation in relation to the manufacture of this substance in the United Kingdom in the light of this evi- 820W dence to ensure that precautions are being taken to prevent a similar escape of gas taking place in the United Kingdom; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John GrantThe recent escape of toxic chemical, including that known as TCDD, following upon an explosion in an Italian chemical plant, has been followed closely from the moment when the first details were received. The Health and Safety Executive has been in communication with the Italian Government to ascertain whether there were any lessons that might have a bearing on similar manufacturing processes in this country and to ask for whatever information they could give regarding the safety of such a plant. It is too early to say whether there is anything to be learned in the field of prevention from the Italian incident. Immediately following receipt of the details of the explosion arrangements were made for inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive to visit the plant of the sole United Kingdom manufacturer of the chemical TCP to check that process safeguards and procedure were being properly maintained and observed. These safeguards were designed not only to ensure safe operation of the process but also to ensure that in the event of loss of control of the chemical reaction none of the contents of the plant could escape into the atmosphere to affect the public and surrounding countryside.
Additional process safeguards were incorporated in the plant when it was completely redesigned and rebuilt in 1970, following an explosion in April 1968, and the maintenance of the plant and methods of handling TCP appeared satisfactory to Her Majesty's Inspectors. The chemical known as TCDD is not manufactured in the United Kingdom for any purpose. It has no known commercial use, nor is there a range of substances that could be described as TCDD compounds. It forms in minute quantities as an unwanted by-product in a side reaction during the manufacture of TCP, typically less than 1 part per million.