§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what research is being carried out on behalf of his Department as to how the quantity of hazardous and toxic wastes might be reduced by recycling;
(2) what plans he has to require firms which have hazardous and toxic wastes arising from their processes to reduce the quantities produced by recycling.
§ Mr. NeedhamNone specifically. However, the nature of hazardous and toxic waste is such that recycling is not an option and its destruction by high temperature incineration currently presents the most viable alternative. In addition, it is considered that the very considerable cost of high temperature incineration for such waste already provides the firms concerned with a keen incentive to keep the quantities involved to an absolute minimum. Wastes of this nature are essentially not recyclable and only those for which high temperature incineration presents the "best practicable environmental option" will be disposed of in this manner.
§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information he has on the environmental audits carried out by companies in Northern Ireland which produce(a) toxic and (b) hazardous and special wastes.
§ Mr. NeedhamNo information on environmental audits is available to the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland. Such audits as exist are generally conducted by private consultants for individual companies to ensure a proper understanding of performance.
§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information he has on environmental impact assessments of the major producers of(a) toxic, (b) hazardous and (c) special wastes in (i) the United States of America, (ii) Canada and (iii) the other European Community countries.
§ Mr. NeedhamThere is no national or international compendium of this information in existence. Government officials are, however, aware of published information on such issues.
§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table showing the amounts of hazardous waste imported into Northern Ireland from the Irish Republic in each year since October 1988.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe information is:
Year Amount 1988–89 275 tons 1989–90 4,997 tons
§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table showing the amounts of hazardous waste transported from the Republic of Ireland through Northern Ireland to Great Britain in each year since October 1988.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe information is:
Year Amount 1988–89 384 tons 1989–90 672 tons