§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Employment what plans exist to protect the local community in the event of a major industrial distaster occuring at the Thames Water site in Lea Bridge road, Leyton where chlorine is stored; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe Thames water authority has drawn up emergency procedures to be followed in the event of a chlorine leak. Storage arrangements on the site are such that the risk of a major industrial disaster is considered to be remote. The site is subject to the Control of Industrial Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1984 but the amount of chlorine stored does not require the preparation of emergency plans under the regulations. The Health and Safety Executive has informed both the local authority and the fire authority about the amounts of substances stored including chlorine and the risks from them.
§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Employment what safety arrangements there are regulating the Thames Water site in Lea Bridge road, Leyton where chlorine is stored.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe site is subject to the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 and both the Notification of Installations Handling Hazardous Substances Regulations 1982 and the Control of Industrial Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1984. The legislation is enforced by HM inspectors of factories, who carry out regular inspections.
§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the number of occasions, and the relevant dates in the past five years when the Thames Water site in Lea Bridge road, Leyton where chlorine is stored, has been inspected by the Health and Safety Inspectorate; and whether all safety recommendations made have been met.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe site was vistited by HM inspectors of factories on six occasions during the past five years, on 12.6.80, 2.7.80, 14.8.80, 31.3.83, 20.12.83 and 8.2.85. At these visits the chlorine storage arrangements were reviewed. Recommendaations made at the earlier visits have been met by the construction of improved storage facilities, including a new storage building.
§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will release the London borough of Waltham Forest and other relevant public bodies from the constraints of official secrecy and other regulations so that 471W they can fully consider safety requirements and emergency plans in respect of the Thames Water sites in the borough where chlorine is stored; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe local authority and the fire authority have been informed by the Health and Safety Executive of the location of this site and the nature and quantities of materials stored. There is no legislation which prevents local authorities from fully considering safety requirements and emergency plans of sites in their area as they affect the authorities' responsibilities for public health, public safety and the protection of the environment.