§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what criteria are used to establish minimum safe levels for(a) dioxin and (b) benzene emissions from smokestacks.
§ Mr. MacleanThose industrial processes with the greatest potential for pollution are controlled by either Her majesty's inspectorate of pollution or by local authorities under part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. All such processes require an authorisation to operate and, in deciding whether to issue an authorisation or what conditions to include, the enforcing authority must have regard to guidance notes issued by either the Secretary of State or the chief inspector of Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution. Where appropriate, and to accord with the requirements of the Act, these notes contain release limits for dioxins and benzene together with other controls to ensure that the best available techniques not entailing excessive cost are used to prevent, minimise and render harmless all releases.
Copies of all guidance notes have been placed in the House Library.