§ Ms. RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what information he has as to which countries have tried to reduce or eliminate the use of chlorine in paper manufacture;
(2) if he will undertake a study on the effects on the environment during the production of paper pulp for use in the manufacture of disposable nappies at all points in the process from tree felling to pulping and bleaching;
(3) what representations he has received from environmental organisations over the production of dioxins associated with chlorine-bleached paper pulp; and if he will make a statement;
(4) what information he has on the United States paper industry dioxin strategy; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyAs far as is known, paper pulp for use in disposable nappies is not manufactured in the United Kingdom, and consequently a study on environmental effects is not called for.
Sweden and Canada have taken steps to reduce the use of chlorine in paper manufacture and are encouraging manufacturers to change to a mechanical pulp process which does not involve chlorine bleaching. This is primarily because of concern over the effluents discharged by pulp mills using chlorine bleaching. In the United Kingdom, pulp is manufactured solely by processes which do not involve the use of chlorine bleaching.
I have not received any representations from environmental organisations concerning the formation of dioxins during the chlorine bleaching pulp process.
Copies of the United States paper industry dioxin strategy are available and are being examined for their relevance to United Kingdom circumstances.
§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what resources are available to monitor toxic effluent from paper mills.
§ Mr. MoynihanArrangements for authorising and monitoring waste effluents from paper mills and other industrial premises are currently matters for the regional water authorities.