§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements exist respectively in(a) the Crown Territories of Hong Kong, (b) the Falkland Islands, (c) Belize and (d) Gibraltar for the disposal of (i) hazardous and toxic wastes and (ii) radioactive wastes from medical or industrial uses; and what is the relationship between these arrangements and the environmental standards applying in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Waldegrave[holding answer 1 May 1990]: In Hong Kong toxic and hazardous wastes are disposed of together as landfill. Medical or industrial radioactive wastes are either stored, returned to suppliers, or disposed of under the Hong Kong radiation ordinance.
250WSo far as we know, there is no radioactive waste in the Falkland Islands, neither is hazardous nor toxic waste produced there.
Belize is an independent country. Its civilian disposal policies are a matter for the Belize Government.
Gibraltar produces no medical or industrial radioactive waste, and very little hazardous or toxic waste. When required, however, advice about the disposal is sought from the Department of the Environment.
At United Kingdom establishments in these territories, and in Belize, hazardous, toxic and radioactive wastes are either disposed of in accordance with local regulations, or returned to the United Kingdom for disposal.
There is no direct link between methods of disposal and United Kingdom environmental standards.