§ Mr. Abseasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has remitted to the Health and Safety Executive consideration of the handling of Kepone at chemical incinerator plants; and whether, before any prohibition order in existence against the disposal of this poison is modified, he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John GrantAs I explained in my reply of 11th April to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Nelson and Colne (Mr. Hoyle), Kepone has not yet been imported into the United Kingdom for disposal and the Health and Safety Executive has, by means of a prohibition notice issued under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 taken steps to ensure that such disposal is not carried out by Re-Chem International Ltd. at its Pontypool waste treatment plant until a 35W safe system of work has been established and agreed between the Executive and the company.
I am informed by the Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that the proposed handling of Kepone at this chemical incineration plant is now under active consideration by the Health and Safety Executive.
I am further informed that the prohibition notice currently in force will neither be modified nor lifted until the question of the safety of the disposal operation has been fully investigated and the Health and Safety Executive is satisfied that it can be carried out safely.
I have asked the Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission to keep me informed of developments.