§ Mr. Frank FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment his Department has made of the findings of the United States Environmental Protection Agency's report on dioxins released on 13 September; and if he will reconsider the findings of the Royal Commission on environmental pollution on incineration capacity.
Mr. AitkinsThe United States Environmental Protection Agency's report, though both long and in parts technical, is still a preliminary draft, issued for public comment. Its content and findings will be revised during the coming year in the light of the comments received. The Government are studying the draft report, and intend to complete their own preliminary assessment of it by the end of the year. The Government, in responding to the royal commission, have already given a public reassurance that, in deciding its policy on the use of incineration for waste disposal, it will take into account the advice of the chief medical officer about the implications of this and other major dioxins studies.