§ Ms RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) for what reason the planned European Commission timetable for the development of the proposed draft directive on the incineration of non-hazardous waste has been delayed beyond that originally proposed by Directorate General XI;
(2) what is the current status of the proposed draft EU directive on the incineration of non-hazardous waste; and if he will make a statement;
(3) what representations have been made by his Department regarding the lack of cost-benefit analysis contained in the draft EU proposal for a directive on the incineration of non-hazardous waste.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe Commission tabled a first draft of this proposed directive in April 1994 and a second draft in August 1994. Three meetings of Government experts have been held, two of which included representatives of trade associations and environmental bodies, and there has also been a meeting of a technical sub-group. I believe that the Commission is currently considering the proposal in the light of the adoption last December of the hazardous waste incineration directive—94/67/EC—and the proposal for a directive on integrated pollution prevention and control.
My Department has made a number of written and verbal representations concerning the importance of assessing both costs and benefits in coming forward with proposals for new standards for non-hazardous waste incineration.