§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to ensure that waste collection and disposal authorities receive copies of the document "The Safe Disposal of Clinical Waste" and the circular letter sent by him to health authorities.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke[pursuant to the reply, 13 July 1982, c. 383.]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment is arranging for copies of the document to be issued to all waste disposal authorities. My right hon. Friend is also considering the question of its issue to waste collection authorities.
§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what further action he plans to take regarding clinical waste following the publication by his Department of a code of practice.
§ Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg[pursuant to his reply, 24 June 1982, c. 174.]: The code of guidance "The Safe Disposal of Clinical Waste" recently published by the Health and 561W Safety Commission at our request has been sent to all health authorities asking them to review, in conjunction with local authorities, their policies for handling, transport and disposal of clinical waste.
As my hon. Friend knows, the chairmen of the four Thames regions have been asked if they would report back to me on progress made to secure improvements in hospitals known to be having difficulties.