§ Mr. Hoyleasked the Secretary of State for Wales, in view of safety standards applicable to disposal of dangerous chemicals in the United States of America and of the proposed import of a dangerous chemical, if he will make a statement on the standards applicable in Wales as opposed to those in the United States of America; and what steps are being taken to prevent the disposal of the chemical Kepone by Re-Chem International Chemical, Pontypool, under contract from the Allied Chemical Corporation of America.
§ Mr. Alec JonesThe requirements as to the disposal of dangerous chemicals in England and Wales are governed by Part I of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 and by the Alkali etc. Works Regulation Act 1906 and the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. Under the Control of Pollution Act, it is necessary to obtain a licence from the waste disposal authority—which, in Wales, is the district council—and the licence may lay down conditions which must be observed. The other legislation is administered by the Health and Safety Executive, which has powers to prohibit any process which involves a risk of serious personal injury. I understand that the requirements in the United States of America vary between States.
The Health and Safety Executive has issued a prohibition notice stopping Re-Chem International Ltd. from carrying out the incineration or other method of destruction of Kepone at Pontypool unless a safe system of work has been established and agreed with the executive.