HC Deb 05 July 1991 vol 194 cc231-2W
Mr. William Ross

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give details of, and levels of, any potential catalytic metals in the structure or in the containment drums for waste incinerated at the proposed incinerator at Maydown, Londonderry.

Mr. Needham

Such details are not yet available. If the proposed incinerator comes into operation the types of waste are likely to be organic chemicals and non-metal bearing. The drums are likely to be of carbon steel which presents no environmental risk.

Mr. William Ross

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what studies are available to him of technologies for the disposal of the types of toxic waste it is proposed to incinerate at the Maydown, Londonderry site.

Mr. Needham

The assessment of any proposal to incinerate waste would include the study of comparative and alternative facilities. Officials in the Department of Environment for Northern Ireland are, of course, aware of such studies in other parts of the world.

Mr. William Ross

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish details of the specifications of the type of incinerator which is being proposed of Maydown, Londonderry.

Mr. Needham

Such details will emerge only after the completion of the feasibilty study and could be made available only when a formal application is made by Du Pont (UK) Ltd.

Mr. William Ross

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with the Du Pont company on the possibility of shipping the toxic and hazardous wastes produced by the company in Northern Ireland to the Du Pont incinerator in the United States of America.

Mr. Needham

The United Kingdom Government are anxious to cease the export of waste out of their territory and there is a presumption in favour of national self-sufficiency in the provision of hazardous facilities.

Mr. William Ross

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with any companies about the construction of chemical or other plants in Northern Ireland which would produce the type of material the proposed incinerator at Maydown, Londonderry could burn; and what assessment he has made of the expected amount of such materials to be produced in Northern Ireland in the next four years.

Mr. Needham

None.