§ Sir Dudley Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the Government's policy towards resolution 797 (1983) of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on the destination of dioxin from Seveso; and what is the Government's policy towards the proposal that the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe should draw up a legal instrument governing the control and the final storage of toxic substances and dangerous waste in the member states and any transfrontier shipment.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThis resolution is currently under consideration by the Committee of Ministers. The Government's general view is that hazardous wastes and substances must be properly managed at all times. The United Kingdom has already called for action by the European Community and supports the view of the Council of Environment Ministers that there is an urgent need for a binding Community instrument to control the transfrontier shipment of hazardous waste. A similar measure is being prepared by OECD, and action under the United Nations environment programme is planned. Other aspects of the control of toxic substances are also being considered in these fora.
The Government consider that these initiatives represent a satisfactory programme of action at the international level.