HC Deb 27 February 1990 vol 168 cc114-5W
Mr. McAvoy

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will establish as a matter of urgency a ministerial working party which represents all interested parties and receives evidence on the widest possible basis, charged with recommending a national waste disposal policy.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

Part II of the Environmental Protection Bill, which is currently before the House of Commons, contains provisions which will strengthen and enhance the existing legislation. It would be premature to consider setting up any such working party.

Mr. McAvoy

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list any statutory duties his Department has to inspect landfill waste sites.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

Inspection of landfill waste sites is for the district and islands councils in Scotland, in their capacity as waste regulatory authorities. Although the hazardous waste inspectorate does not have a statutory duty to inspect landfill waste sites, it may visit landfill waste sites in discharging its remit to examine the management of hazardous waste and to advise local authorities on their duties under part I of the Control of Pollution Act.

Mr. McAvoy

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will undertake a new national survey of waste tips in Scotland; if he will take steps to establish a register of old waste dumps; and what action he is taking to inform river purification boards of the location of waste dumps which pose a risk of contamination to drinking water supplies.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

In February 1988 district and islands councils in Scotland were asked to identify all waste disposal sites which had received biodegradable waste. The hazardous waste inspectorate urged authorities to monitor these sites to establish what degree of risk exists, if any, and to take appropriate remedial action. A follow-up survey is planned later this year to assess what progress has been made in Scotland.

The recent report of the House of Commons Environment Committee has recommended that a register of contaminated land be set up for England and Wales, a matter which we will consider when assessing the implications of the report for Scotland.

Little of Scotland's drinking water supply is taken from groundwater. River purification boards have been statutory consultees for all waste disposal developments since 1978.