§ Lord Gregsonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What actions they have taken to implement each of their undertakings to control the import of hazardous waste, as set out in their Written Answer of 17th December 1981 (HL Deb, Col. 392).
§ Lord BelsteadThe revised Control of Pollution (Licensing of Waste Disposal) Regulations are in an advanced state of preparation and I hope to be able to announce very shortly a decision on their reissue as part of combined collection and disposal regulations. Further consideration of the proposals to bring material not admitted to be waste under the controls applicable to waste lead to the conclusion that such measures were not necessary. The definition of waste under Section 30 of the Control of Pollution Act is wide enough to allow the waste disposal authorities to control as waste any substance which has been dealt with as if it were a waste. The UK acted with other member states to press for the introduction of EC controls on the international movement of hazardous waste. The Transfrontier Shipment of Hazardous Waste Directive was adopted in 1984 but has been amended subsequently. Regrettably, differences between Member States in interpretation of this and other waste directives have meant that no member state has yet been able to implement the directive. The Government very much hope that these problems will be resolved as quickly as possible.