HL Deb 25 June 1990 vol 520 cc1428-9WA
Lord Northfield

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will list the categories of industrial wastes that will continue to be eligible for licences allowing dumping in the North Sea until the end of 1992; and which categories have been objected to by other North Sea states.

Baroness Trumpington

The Government intend that the dumping at sea of two categories of industrial waste should be ended by the end of 1992. These categories are liquid industrial wastes and power station flyash. Licences for the wastes in these categories which are still put to sea will be terminated as soon as environmentally acceptable alternative means of dealing with each waste on land can be implemented. It is likely that only two liquid wastes may need the continuation of licences to the end of 1992. Any extension beyond 1992, which would apply only to these two liquid wastes, would only be approved if absolutely necessary and for the shortest possible period.

Under a procedure agreed by the international Oslo Commission on dumping at sea, some North Sea states have expressed objections to renewal of licences for some liquid wastes and for flyash. At a meeting of the Commission last week, the countries concerned recognised that the expression of objections does not preclude renewal of the licences, and that the agreement allows for a phasing out period. The UK was formally congratulated by other countries for the efforts which the Government are making to terminate the licences as soon as possible.