§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he takes to ensure that all transporters of waste adhere to regulations governing the safe control of waste; and if he will bring forward proposals to empower waste regulation authorities with rights to inspect waste transporter premises and stop check waste vehicles within the area of the authority's function.
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§ Mr. MacleanSince 1 April 1992 it has been an offence under the Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989 for any person to transport controlled waste in the course of his business unless he is registered with the appropriate waste regulation authority; or benefits from an exemption provided under the Controlled Waste (Registration of Carriers and Seizure of Vehicles) Regulations 1991.
Under 7(1) of the 1989 Act, as amended, waste regulation authorities have powers to enter and inspect premises; and under section 5 of that Act waste regulation authorities and police constables have powers to stop and search vehicles in certain circumstances. Guidance on the 1989 Act and the 1991 regulations has been provided to waste regulation authorities in DOE circular 11/91.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will ensure that waste regulation authorities which receive imported waste are fully aware of those countries through which waste travels.
§ Mr. MacleanThe Transfrontier Shipment of Hazardous Waste Regulations 1988 provide a system of consignment notes, one of which must be sent to the competent authority of the state of destination. In the case of shipments of waste for disposal, this copy will show in code form all the other EC member states through which the consignment is due to pass.
The current draft of the proposed EC waste shipments regulation would improve upon these requirements. Consignment notes would show routeing arrangements, and this would apply to shipments of certain types of waste for recovery as well as to shipments for disposal.