§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what regulatory control exists to deal with damage to the environment by leakage and unsatisfactory disposal of redunant plant and equipment containing polychlorinated biphenyls; whether any regulations exist prohibiting or limiting the import and use of polychlorinated biphenyls in new equipment; whether any regulations exist which control the disposal of polychlorinated biphenyls; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe Control of Pollution (Supply and Use of Injurious Substances) Regulations 1980 restrict the marketing and use of polychlorinated biphenyls in the United Kingdom, and also imports. Under these regulations, permitted uses are only as dielectrics in transformers and capacitors, as hydraulic fluids in underground mining equipment, and as heat-transmitting fluids in closed-circuit systems, other than installations for processing food, or pharmaceutical or veterinary products.
Disposal of PCB wastes is covered by the Control of Pollution Act 1974 and regulations made under it, including the Special Waste Regulations 1980. Powers also exist in this Act to enable local authorities to deal with damage to the environment caused by leakage and unsatisfactory disposal of PCBs.