§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to legislate for the replacement of toxic waste incineration emissions with closed loop technology.
§ Mr. TrippierEmissions to atmosphere from toxic waste incinerators are closely controlled by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution under the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The Environmental Protection Bill currently before the House will strengthen those controls by requiring operators of prescribed processes to use the best available techniques, not entailing excessive costs, to minimise releases of prescribed pollutants.
My Department is promoting awareness of low-waste or clean technology through the environmental protection technology (EPT) scheme. A booklet on clean technology was published in November 1989 describing examples where British industry has successfully introduced new cleaner technology to bring about environmental and economic benefits. My Department will also be hosting in September a three-day seminar on the subject of "Cleaner Production" to promote the exchange and dissemination of information about clean technology at the international level.