§ Mr. Sheermanasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what instructions and advice are given to emergency services, particularly the fire services, in respect of dealing with incidents such as fires and spills where polychlorinated biphenyl may be involved.
§ Mr. MayhewI have been asked to reply.
Guidance has been issued to the fire services on dealing with incidents arising from the conveyance of poly-chlorinated biphenyls by road. The substances have been allocated a Hazchem code of 4X, which means that in the event of fire they should not be allowed to come into contact with water, a dry extinguishing agent should be used, full body protection should be worn, there is no danger of a violent or explosive reaction, and a spillage should be prevented by any means available, from entering
Total rate and grant borne expenditure* at outturn prices—England, £ million Outturn Provisional outturn Authorities' revised budgets 1978–79† 1979–80† 1980–81 1981–82 (a) London boroughs 1,602 1,931 2,350 2,584 (b) London precepting authorities‡ 1,189 1,389 1,680 1,877 (c) Metropolitan districts 2,603 3,033 3,637 4,056 (d) Metropolitan counties 740 918 1,132 1,413 (e) Non-metropolitan districts 961 1,147 1,344 1,422 (f) Non-metropolitan counties║ 5,877 6,763 8,184 9,342 (g) Others¶ 159 239 235 n.a. * Rate fund revenue expenditure net of sales, fees and charges etc. to be financed by rates, balances, RSG, relevant specific and supplementary grants, mandatory student award grants and taking into account intra-authority transactions. † Also includes net expenditure to be financed by other non-relevant specific grants. ‡GLC, ILEA and Metropolitan Police. ║ Includes Isles of Scilly. ¶ Joint police authorities, miscellaneous planning boards and markets. In 1981–82, this expenditure is included within expenditure of contributing authorities; separate figures are not available until outturn.