§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many substances appear on the red list as drawn up by each country within the European Community; if he has any plans to increase the number of chemicals on the red list; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryThe red list is a United Kingdom initiative: a list of chemicals which are particularly dangerous to the aquatic environment. Not all other Community countries have such lists and I do not have details of those which do exist.
The Commission of the European Communities has recently proposed to the Council that most of the substances on the red list which have not already been dealt with as list I substances should receive priority treatment for the setting of limit values and quality objectives. A list of agreed hazardous substances, which includes many of the red list substances, is likely to be agreed at the North sea conference this week.
The Department is starting to assess new candidates for the red list, but it is unlikely that any will be given red list status before the end of next year.