HL Deb 30 November 1987 vol 490 cc923-4WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will list the waste chemicals imported into the United Kingdom from abroad for subsequent (a) incineration and (b) dumping at sea, the quantities involved, the place of origin, the number of officials required to supervise the trade, and the costs of returns to the Exchequer.

Lord Belstead

Disposal of wastes at sea is controlled centrally by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and they advise that imported wastes are not disposed of at sea by the UK. Disposal of waste on land is controlled by waste disposal authorities. Details of wastes imported for incineration in the UK are not held centrally and could not be obtained without disproportionate costs. However we are aware that 8,000 tonnes of waste notified under the special waste regulations were imported for incineration on land during 1986.