§ Mr. WardTo ask the Secretary of State for Health by what date all hospital incinerators in the United Kingdom will be operating in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the Department of the Environment.
§ Mr. Dorrell[holding answer 27 February 1991]: With the removal of Crown immunity, new incinerators will have to meet the requirements of environmental protection legislation from 1 April 1991. Health authorities and NHS trusts that currently operate incinerators which do not comply with the new standards will be required by 30 September 1991 to agree with the local authority pollution inspectorate a programme for ensuring that all incinerators meet the new standards in full. These agreed programmes will set interim standards which will have to be met.
124WAlthough there is a maximum transitional period of five years we have made clear that NHS incinerators must meet as quickly as possible the new standards laid down in environmental protection legislation. We are about to issue guidance on the different options which are available to health authorities and NHS trusts. They include the sharing of facilities across district and regional boundaries and the use of private sector waste management companies.