Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy of 9 February,Official Report, column 769, if he will make a further statement on the outcome of follow-up discussions with the Medical Research Council over radioactive waste from radon source materials at Barton-Le-Clay, Bedfordshire.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe Medical Research Council has provided Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution with extensive information about its wartime operations at Barton-Le-Clay.
In 1939, the council transferred its production of medical radon sources from London to Barton in the Clay, Bedfordshire. It ceased production in 1948, transferred the source material to the Ministry of Supply at Amersham and checked for any remaining radioactive waste. The premises were then handed back to the original owner.
HMIP has carried out a thorough inspection of the area and is satisfied that it is safe.
Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy of 9 February,Official Report, column 769, on United Kingdom generated toxic waste exports, if he will initiate an investigation into plans by Hamilton Resources Ltd. and the Sesco Company of London to dispose of 5 million tons of hazardous wastes in Benin, West Africa.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyNo. The transfrontier shipment of hazardous waste regulations of 1988 require, inter alia, that before any consignment of hazardous waste is transported from this country to Benin, the holder of the waste sends a copy of the completed consignment note to the Secretary of State. The Department has received no such consignment note to date.