§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what discussions she has had with the Fertiliser Manufacturers Association concerning the safe storage and recording of deliveries of ammonium nitrate and other fertilisers and associated substances which might be used in the making of explosives;
(2) what instructions or advice she has given to farmers in Great Britain concerning the safe storage and recording of stocks of ammonium nitrate and other fertilisers which might be used in the manufacture of explosives.
Mr. McLouglinMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment has not had discussions with the Fertiliser Manufacturers Association or given advice to farmers on these matters.
Earlier this year, a deputy director general of the Health and Safety Executive and other senior officials met representatives of the Fertiliser Manufacturers Association. Their concern over the apparently unsatisfactory storage of some imported ammonium nitrate fertilisers was discussed. As a result, Health and Safety Executive inspectors are making special visits to a number of places, including farms, to examine conditions of storage.
A guidance note on the storage and handling of ammonium nitrate has been published by the Health and Safety Executive. During visits, inspectors are drawing attention to this and other published guidance. A 798W prohibition notice has been issued in one case, where large quantities of ammonium nitrate fertiliser were being imported under unsafe conditions.