§ Mr. MansTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for the systematic evaluation of the possible harmful effects of industrial chemicals.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe Department and the Welsh Office have recently published a consultation paper proposing that additional statutory powers should be introduced to evaluate and control the environmental hazard of existing chemicals. The consultation paper describes the powers available under existing legislation and proposes additional powers to obtain information about substances with the potential to cause environmental damage, to require testing when adequate information 133W is not available, and to control the supply, storage or use of such substances when necessary. Interested organisations and individuals are invited to send their views to the Department or the Welsh Office by 15 June 1989.