Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what proportion of the annual total of special hazardous wastes has been imported through airports in each of the past nine years for which data are available;
(2) for each of the last 10 years, how many tonnes of what is now defined as special hazardous waste have been imported to the United Kingdom via (a) ports and (b) airports.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyInformation on imports of special waste is collected by waste disposal authorities. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution (and its predecessors) has collected some information from the authorities since the financial year 1981–82. These records show the following information:
Financial Year Estimated Quantity Imported (Tonnes) 1981–82 3,786 1982–83 4,986 1983–84 14,824 1984–85 5,000 1985–86 24,548 1986–87 53,000 1987–88 80,000 The inspectorate is aware of imports by air in only two of these years, 60 tonnes in 1985–86 and 25 tonnes in 1987–88, and of 3 tonnes to date this year.
Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has had any meetings with the Nuclear Industry Radioactive Waste Executive to discuss the recommendations of the House of Lords Select Committee on the European Communities report, "Radioactive Waste Management (HL 99)".
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyMy right hon. Friend has had no discussions with Nirex on this report.