§ Mr. DevlinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the future policy of the Government with regard to toxic waste incinerators.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyIncineration will continue to play an important role in United Kingdom waste disposal arrangements. It is the only safe disposal route for some toxic wastes and it can reduce the volume and toxicity of many other wastes thus helping to conserve landfill capacity.
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§ Mr. DevlinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his best estimate of the species of mammals and birds most at threat from the dumping of toxic waste in the North sea.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyPresent levels of toxic waste entering the North sea do not represent a general threat to sea birds or marine mammals resident in United Kingdom waters. Moreover, as a result of important measures agreed at the second North sea conference in 1987 levels of toxic substances discharged to the North sea will fall substantially.
Persistent organic contaminants, including PCBs and pesticides, can accumulate in the blubber of marine animals which are at the top of the food chain. They have been implicated in damage to local populations of marine mammals in parts of the Wadden sea off the German and Dutch coasts. It has been shown that the heavy load of contaminants in this area comes largely from the Rivers Rhine, Weser and Elbe.
§ Dr. Kim HowellsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his priority to seek to ensure that each county authority has a toxic waste disposal facility capable of meeting the requirements of indigenous industries in each county.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyNo. Waste disposal authorities have a responsibility to ensure that there are adequate safe disposal facilities for all waste arising in their areas, but they are not precluded from making agreements with other authorities. They are required to submit plans to my hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment showing that satisfactory arrangements are in place or in prospect.
§ Dr. Kim HowellsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to tighten up and enforce existing regulations governing the disposal of toxic and other dangerous waste substances so as to safeguard the public from the effects of unsupervised disposals of these substances.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyStringent controls over the disposal of waste already exist. Waste disposal authorities (WDAs) are responsible for supervising disposal and safeguarding public health and the environment. Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution monitor the performance of WDAs and aim by reports and advice to secure improvements. Legislation to strengthen and enhance existing controls is to be introduced at the earliest opportunity.