HC Deb 14 July 1976 vol 915 cc190-1W
20. Mr. Raphael Tuck

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will consider implementing Section 2 of the Control of Pollution Act at an early date in view of the potential profitability of a properly organised system of collection and disposal of waste.

Mr. Guy Barnett

My right hon. Friend intends to implement Section 2 as soon as the constraints on local authority expenditure allow. Meanwhile the licensing system we have now introduced for waste disposal sites will provide some of the information which Section 2 requires waste disposal authorities to collect.

Mr. Woof

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list the statutes which impose obligations on contractors using refuse tips to dispose of waste material and provide for supervision; and if he will make a statement;

(2) if he will initiate an inquiry into the hazards to residents on Summerhill Bank, Blaydon-on-Tyne, caused by private and local authority tipping of waste material;

(3) what consideration has been given by his Department to the threat to the safety of residents of Summerhill Bank, Blaydon-on-Tyne, through the use of the refuse tip there; what are the safeguards imposed on such operations; and what advice he has given of the need for greater care in the disposal of waste material and protection of the environment;

(4) if he will raise with the Waste Management Advisory Council the need to ensure that the current operation of refuse tipping such as that at Summerhill Bank, Blaydon-on-Tyne, conforms to set standards; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Guy Barnett

I am not aware of any hazard from the disposal of waste at Summerhill Bank. Waste disposal sites are currently subject to controls under planning and environmental health legislation, the Deposit of Poisonous Waste Act 1972 and the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. By June 1977 all sites will have had to be licenced under the Control of Pollution Act 1974; the waste disposal authority, in this case Tyne and Wear County Council, will be able to impose operating conditions as necessary.

My Department has given wide-ranging advice, formally and informally, on the environmental aspects of waste disposal so as to ensure that suitable standards are adopted. It would not be appropriate to put this matter before the Waste Management Advisory Council at present.