HC Deb 11 March 1993 vol 220 cc671-2W
Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research he has commissioned or carried out in each of the last five years into the transportation of hazardous substances.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

My Department commissioned surveys of the transport into and out of British ports of dangerous goods in packages, in 1989, and of bulk chemicals and gases, in 1992. It has commissioned, sometimes jointly with the Health and Safety Executive, a number of reports from the National Radiological Protection Board into aspects of the transport of radioactive material. My Department also took part in an important study, under the aegis of the Health and Safety Commission's advisory committee on dangerous substances, of the major hazards aspects of the transport of dangerous substances: its report was published in 1991. Copies of these reports are in the Library, except for those on the port movements, which contained commercially confidential information.

Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to apply the control of Major Accident Hazards regulations to the transportation of hazardous materials to and from existing CIMAH sites.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

The Control of Industrial Major Accident Hazard Regulations 1984 (CIMAH) implement EC directives on the major accident hazards of certain industrial activities. They apply where specific dangerous substances are stored in more than specified quantities and require the preparation of emergency plans by both the operator of the site and by local authorities. It would be inappropriate and confusing to attempt to apply the CIMAH regulations to transport operations.

Regulations for the transport of dangerous goods by road apply from the commencement of loading until the vehicle is unloaded and made safe. Furthermore, the wide ranging general requirements of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 cover all aspects of interface activities including loading and unloading from all modes of transport, storage and arrangements for emergencies. The Dangerous Substances in Harbour Areas Regulations 1987 apply in harbour areas.

The transport of dangerous goods internationally is covered by long established conventions, principally under United Kingdom aegis. The European Commission is currently considering the direct application of the international rail and road rules within member states. It would be for the Community to decide in due course whether supplementing transport requirements, similar to those under the CIMAH Regulations, might be needed.

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