§ Mr. CummingsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the amount of waste being tipped annually off Dawdon as(a) slurry, (b) solid waste and (c) toxic waste; and if he will indicate for each category the points of origin;
(2) if he will make a statement on the environmental implications of recent proposals by British Coal to dispose of increased amounts of slurry and coal waste off Dawdon.
§ Mr. GummerI have been asked to reply.
The discharge of waste, including slurry, by pipeline at Dawdon is a matter for the Northumbrian water authority which regulates such disposal under the Control of Pollution Act 1974.
Beach tipping is regulated by my Department under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985; 2.5 million tonnes of solid colliery waste is licensed annually for disposal in the Dawdon area in this way. The material originates from Easington, Dawdon, Vane Tempest, Seaham and Hawthorn collieries. No proposal has been made by British Coal for an increase in this licensed quantity. No dumping of other wastes at Dawdon is currently licensed under the 1985 Act.