§ Mr. KynochTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress there has been on the review of the arrangements for dealing with contaminated land which was announced on 24 March 1993; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LangI have been asked to reply.
I have today issued on wide circulation our proposals for the clean up and control of contaminated land. The consultation paper recognises that liability for past pollution is complicated and there are no easy solutions.
Interested organisations and individuals have provided helpful views which have been useful in identifying the key issues and options. The consultation paper gives all interested parties an opportunity to comment on the preliminary conclusions.
The consultation paper makes clear our support for a "suitable for use" approach to dealing with contaminated land. This means that contaminated land should be treated to deal with unacceptable actual or perceived threats to health, safety or the environment, taking into account the actual or intended use of the site. Where practicable, it should be kept in, or brought back into, beneficial use. This will help us to minimise pressures on greenfield sites.
The consultation paper invites comments by 26 May, and any views expressed will be taken into account before final conclusions are reached. I have placed a copy in the Libraries of the House. A parallel, but separate, consultation exercise is already under way in England and Wales.