HC Deb 19 July 1988 vol 137 cc524-5W
Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made as to whether the three-day period allowed for waste disposal authorities to check the contents of cargoes of imported toxic waste is sufficient to allow a proper chemical analysis of such cargoes.

Mr. Moynihan

The three-day period is intended to give notice to waste disposal authorities so that they can monitor and verify the arrival of a consignment at its intended disposal facilities. Producers of special wastes, including importers, must certify the composition of consignments and disposers must ensure that the composition complies with site licence conditions. Analysis should be undertaken by these parties in order to comply with their obligations, and is not constrained by the three day period. Waste disposal authorities, as part of their enforcement duties, may check on the composition at any time.