§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the minimum temperature needed for waste incinerators in national health service hospitals adequately to burn all waste, in particular that resulting from treatment to patients who suffer from serious infectious diseases.
§ Mr. DorrellHealth authorities and NHS trusts are required to comply with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment's guidelines, issued under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, which specify operating temperatures for incinerators. The minimum temperature for new plant installed after 1 April 1991 is 1000 deg. C. Under the interim arrangement provided by the Act, existing plants may operate at a minimum temperature of 850 deg. C. for a maximum of five years, but I have stressed to NHS management the importance of meeting the higher minimum temperature standard as quickly as possible.