§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to mount a national campaign for the recovery of mercury batteries; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldegraveMy Department has been exploring with the battery industry the scope for practicable and economic battery recovery. I understand that the European Commission is considering making a proposal on this subject.
The Association of European Primary Dry Battery Manufacturers has adopted a programme which will achieve a 70 per cent. reduction in the mercury content of waste from domestic dry batteries by 1990.
§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the monitoring of mercury emissions from waste incineration plant.
§ Mr. WaldegraveIndustrial waste incinerators are required to be registered with the Industrial Air Pollution Inspectorate under the Health and Safety (Emissions into the Atmosphere) Regulations 1983 as chemical incineration works. The definition of chemical incineration works434W includes works for the destruction by burning of chemical waste containing mercury. Works so registered are required by section 5 of the Health and Safety etc. Act 1974 to use best practical means, and this will include monitoring of the process.
Monitoring carried out to date on municipal incinerators indicated the mercury emissions to be insignificant. The situation is being kept under review.