§ Mr. Canavanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Falkirk, West on 29 October 1985, Official Report, column 467, he will detail the difference in standards between manufacturers' instructions and specifications and the best practicable means as set out by Her Majesty's industrial pollution inspectorate.
§ Mr. AncramManufacturers' design specifications and instructions for plant which they supply must meet the best practicable means requirement for the industry concerned based on current technology. In applying the best practicable means to individual processes, HMIPI take into account any published guidelines and also local circumstances.
§ Mr. Canavanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what standards his Department uses as safe background soil levels of PCBs, PCDs and furans.
§ Mr. AncramAt present there are no agreed United Kingdom standards for acceptable levels in soil of PCBs, PCDs and furans. The Government are, however, seeking advice from a number of expert committees on safe levels.