§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy towards the importing of toxic waste for disposal in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. MoynihanAll special waste imported into the United Kingdom is subject to the same controls as special waste generated in this country. The provision of disposal services for imports of special wastes is a legitimate business provided it is carried out with proper environmental safeguards, does not involve risks to public health and does not jeopardise the availability of suitable facilities for United Kingdom waste. Within this framework this service can benefit the environment where suitable facilities are not available in the country of origin.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to which countries exporting toxic waste to Britain do so because such disposal would be illegal in their countries.
§ Mr. MoynihanTo the best of our knowledg no waste imported into the United Kingdom would be illegal to be disposed of in its country of origin.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to ensure that all mixed consignments of toxic waste imported for disposal in the United Kingdom contain chemicals that are compatible.
§ Mr. MoynihanThe European agreement concerning the international carriage of dangerous goods by road356W contains stringent requirements that incompatible chemicals including waste chemicals should not be carried together. When a consignment of waste reaches the United Kingdom its deposit, storage and handling will be subject to licensing by the waste disposal authorities, which should impose conditions to ensure the waste is handled safely and that incompatible chemicals are kept separately.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received regarding waste transfer stations being used to obscure the nature and origin of toxic waste prior to its disposal.
§ Mr. MoynihanI have received no such representations.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take urgent steps to ensure that all major landfill sites disposing of toxic waste have analysis facilities on site.
§ Mr. MoynihanThe licensing of waste disposal facilities is a matter for waste disposal authorities. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution has advised them that all major landfill sites licensed for special wastes should have laboratory facilities on site and that this should be a requirement of the licence.