HC Deb 02 March 1990 vol 168 cc374-6W
Dr. David Clark

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the licences for dumping industrial waste including the substances, companies and amounts involved which have been (a) submitted to him, (b) submitted to the Oslo commission and (c) approved by him since 1 December 1989 giving the dates in each case.

Mr. Gummer

The information is as follows:

Sterling Organics

  • Aqueous residue from preparation of paracetamol 42,000 tonnes.
  • Submitted to Oslo Commission: 19 September 1989.
  • Application for renewal received: 18 December 1989. Licence approved: 23 February 1990.

Fisons

  • Wash waters from synthesis of Intal—a treatment for asthma and allergies 4,000 tonnes.
  • Submitted to Oslo Commission: 19 September 1989.
  • Application for renewal received: 18 December 1989.
  • Application rejected: 16 January 1990.

Orsynetics

  • Salt solution from manufacture of o-tolyl-biguanide 3,000 tonnes.
  • Submitted to Oslo Commission: 5 October 1989.
  • Application for renewal received: 14 December 1989.
  • Licence approved: 22 February 1990.
  • Fine Organics
  • Wash waters from synthesis of antibiotic and anti-ulcer medicines 8,000 tonnes.
  • Submitted to Oslo Commission: 21 December 1989.
  • Application awaited.

Tate and Lyle

  • Chalk solution from sugar refining 30,000 tonnes.
  • Submitted to Oslo Commission: 16 February 1990.
  • Application awaited.

I also refer the hon. Member to my written answer of 22 February to my hon. Friend the Member for Wyre (Mr. Mans), Official Report, column 899, in which I stated that it is the Government's intention that none of these wastes will continue to be dumped at sea after the end of 1992.

Dr. David Clark

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, further to his answer to the hon. Member for South Shields of 4 December 1989,Official Report, columns 105–8, if he will list the licence applications for dumping industrial waste which in 1990 he expects to (a) renew, and (b) refuse; if he will list those for which alternative methods of disposal will be found: and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Gummer

I have renewed licences held by Orsynetics and Sterling Organics. I expect to renew licences held by Fine Organics, Tate and Lyle, National Power and ICI. I have refused a licence to Fisons. Other licences will not be renewed if alternative means of disposal of the wastes concerned are available at the time existing licences expire.

Alternative means of disposal will be implemented for all the wastes concerned. As I stated in my written answer of 22 February to my hon. Friend the Member for Wyre (Mr. Mans) Official Report, column 899, it is the Government's intention that none of these wastes will continue to he dumped at sea after the end of 1992. For several of those licences to be renewed in 1990 an alternative means of disposal is expected to be in place within a year.

I also expect to renew licences held by British Coal for dumping stone from colleries.

Dr. David Clark

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, further to his answer to the hon. Member for South Shields of 4 December 1989, Official Report, columns 105–8, if he will list the applications for dumping industrial waste which he approved in 1989, listing the substances, quantities and companies involved; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Gummer

I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 4 December (Official Report, columns 105–8), which lists the applications received. All except the solid waste from boric acid production were approved.

I also refer the hon. Member to my written answer of 22 February to my hon. Friend the Member for Wyre (Mr. Mans) (Official Report, column 899) in which I stated that it is the Government's intention that none of these wastes will continue to be dumped at sea after the end of 1992.

Dr. David Clark

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will place the details in the Library of the applications for dumping industrial waste to include the chemical components, the amounts involved and the companies involved for(a) wash waters from the synthesis of antibiotic and anti-ulcer medicines and (b) chalk solution from sugar refining.

Mr. Gummer

I am arranging to place in the Library copies of the information sent to the Oslo Commission about these wastes.

I also refer the hon. Member to my written answer of 22 February to my hon. Friend the Member for Wyre (Mr. Mans), Official Report, column 899, in which I stated that it is the Government's intention that none of these wastes will continue to be dumped at sea after the end of 1992.

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