HC Deb 12 April 1978 vol 947 cc456-7W
46. Mr. David Price

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to prevent the Allied Chemical Corporation of America from bringing its surplus stocks of the highly toxic pesticide ingredient, kepone, into Great Britain for disposal, with consequential environmental risks.

50. Mr. Abse

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is aware of the negotiations between the Allied Chemical Corporation and Rechem International Ltd. intended to lead to the import from the United States of America of kepone for disposal in chemical waste incinerators in Great Britain; and whether he will exercise his powers relating to the importation of hazardous substances to prohibit the entry of this poison into the United Kingdom.

Mr. Shore

The Health and Safety Executive has issued a notice prohibiting the disposal of kepone until a safe system of work has been fully established. That prohibition will not be lifted unless and until the Health and Safety Executive is satisfied that the kepone can be disposed of without risk. It has undertaken to consult me before it lifts it.

Allied Chemical Corporation has assured me that it has no intention of shipping kepone to the United Kingdom until the authorisations needed for its disposal have been made. If necessary, I have powers under Section 100(1)(a) of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 to make regulations to forbid or restrict the importation of any substance if I consider it appropriate for the prevention of damage to persons, animals or plants or pollution of the air, water or land. The Act requires me to have full consultations before I can make such regulations.

Mr. Clemitson

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he proposes to take on the proposed disposal of 80 drums of kepone in the United Kingdom by the Allied Chemical Corporation; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Shore

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for Pontypool (Mr. Abse) and the hon. Member for Eastleigh (Mr. Price).