§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what proportion of hospital incinerators are estimated to be operating to standards which would not be permitted by institutions not protected by Crown immunity;
(2) what action has been taken to ensure that all hospital incinerators meet the standards that have to be met by institutions not protected by Crown immunity and what would be the resource implications of taking such action;
(3) how many district health authorities have received complaints about air pollution from hospital incinerators.
§ Mrs. CurrieHealth authorities are required to comply with statutory standards on emissions to the atmosphere and the operation and maintenance of hospital incinerators notwithstanding Crown immunity. There is an established procedure whereby local authorities can raise instances of non-compliance with health authorities and bring the matter to the attention of the Department if it cannot be resolved locally. The Department then asks the appropriate regional health authority to investigate and ensure that appropriate remedial action is taken. Seven such referrals have been made in the last twelve months.
481WInformation is not held centrally on the number of complaints made direct to district health authorities or the overall cost of improvements made to incinerators in response to complaints.
§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the estimated cost of upgrading National Health Service incinerators to meet the emission limits proposed by the European Economic Community draft directive on municipal waste incinerators.
§ Mrs. CurrieTo comply with the anticipated new controls on emissions, health authorities will need to upgrade or replace the majority of hospital incinerators. If these were immediately replaced the cost would be in the region of £50 million, but it is anticipated that there will be a transitional period allowed for the replacement of existing installations. Many incinerators will therefore be upgraded or replaced at the end of their useful lives as part of the normal cycle of planned equipment renewal. Authorities will also be expected to review their waste disposal services taking account of the scope for rationalising and reducing the number of incinerator facilities and the contribution which the private sector can make to the disposal of clinical waste.