HC Deb 20 February 1995 vol 255 cc93-4W
Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the land fill sites where waste mercury has been disposed of in each of the last five years.

Mr. Atkins

This information is not held centrally. Each waste regulation authority maintains a register which contains information about all landfill sites licenced by that authority under part II of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the current licensing requirements for the treatment and disposal of waste mercury.

Mr. Atkins

The treatment and disposal of controlled waste is subject to the licensing requirements of part II of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994—S.I. 1994 1056. Controlled waste which is "special waste" is also subject to the requirements of the Control of Pollution (Special Waste) Regulations 1980—S.I. 1980 No. 1709. Mercury is one of the substances listed in part I of schedule I to the 1980 regulations and guidance on the circumstances in which it may meet the criteria for definition as special waste is provided in waste management paper No.23.