HC Deb 26 June 1991 vol 193 cc499-500W
Mr. William Ross

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his estimate of the total cost of building the proposed incinerator at Maydown, County Londonderry; and what public funds will be made available for the project.

Mr. Needham

I understand that Du Pont estimates the total cost of building its proposed incinerator at Maydown as £38 million. The company has approached the Industrial Development Board for possible support for the project from public funds, but no final decision has yet been reached.

Mr. William Ross

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will list the safeguards which will have to be taken by the operator to prevent emissions from the proposed incinerator for hazardous wastes at Maydown, County Londonderry;

(2) if he will list the measures he intends to take to control the risk of emissions from the proposed incinerator at Maydown, County Londonderry.

Mr. Needham

The proposed incinerator would constitute a registrable process under the Alkali and Radiochemical Works Regulation Act 1906 as amended by the Alkali and Radiochemical Works Order (Northern Ireland) 1991. Before operations commenced, a formal statement of best practical means would be issued in respect of this process by the alkali and radiochemical inspectorate of the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland. This statement would specify standards of emission and operational and process controls with respect to air pollution abatement. The inspectorate would insist that the operator used the best available technology to treat emissions before discharge to the atmosphere, to ensure there were no adverse health or amenity implications.