HC Deb 19 July 1993 vol 229 cc53-4W
Mr. Richards

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures are being taken to ensure the safe disposal of hospital waste; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Gwilym Jones

All health authorities in Wales were issued with the Secretary of State's guidance "Clinical Waste Incineration Processes under 1 Tonne an Hour" in March 1991.

Guidance and a code of practice were issued in March 1992 detailing responsibilities under the "duty of care" requirements of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, which places stringent requirements on all who create, transport and dispose of "controlled waste".

It is for the local authority environmental health officers, as the statutory enforcers, to control and monitor the activities of health authorities and NHS trusts.