§ Mr. Nigel EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the latest position on the waste management licensing timetable.
§ Mr. MacleanI am convinced that we must achieve our environmental objectives for waste management in a way which places the least possible burden on industry. In doing so, we have to take account of European Community measures dealing with waste management, as I explained in my announcement on 17 March.
Unfortunately further consideration of this important aspect and its impact on the relationship between waste management licensing under part 11 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and other controls has produced a number of technical problems that have not yet been finally resolved. It is very important to get the position right and for all regulating authorities and handlers of controlled waste to know what they have to do to comply with obligations deriving from Community measures.
Regrettably, therefore, we cannot now meet our target for waste management licensing of 1 June. As soon as I am in a position to give a revised date, I shall do so. I should stress that we fully intend to bring in the Environmental Protection Act waste management licensing system and the EC revised waste framework directive. Moreover, this delay in no way affects the present requirement under the Control of Pollution Act 1974 for facilities handling waste to have licences.