Departmental Buildings, Clwyd (Hansard, 7 November 1995)

§ Mr. Hanson
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has undertaken of the safety of the site, grounds and infrastructure of his Department's former buildings at Rhydymwyn, Clwyd. [41243]

§ Mr. Boswell
Dames and Moore, environmental consultants commissioned by Drivers Jonas, acting on behalf of my Department, produced an environmental assessment of the Valley factory site at Rhydymwyn in May 1994. This is under consideration. There is no danger to local residents so long as they do not trespass on the site.

§ Mr. Hanson
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he intends to publish proposals for the use of his Department's former buildings at Rhydymwyn, Clwyd. [41240]

§ Mr. Boswell
A report jointly commissioned by my Department, the Welsh Development Agency and Delyn borough council on the remediation of the site is expected by the summer of 1996. Proposals will be published as soon as agreement with those with a direct interest in the site has been reached.

§ Mr. Hanson
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions his Department has had with the National Rivers Authority regarding toxic 687W waste entering the watercourse at Rhydymwyn, Clwyd, from his Department's former buildings on site. [41241]

§ Mr. Boswell
Representatives from the National Rivers Authority were present at a meeting between Ministry officials and Delyn borough council in March 1995 to discuss the site. The NRA has been given the results of the environmental consultants' investigations. I understand that the NRA has a monitoring point on the site which has been in place for some years. However, the NRA has not indicated to the Ministry that it is concerned about water quality within the watercourse.

§ Mr. Hanson
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions his Department has had with the Welsh Development Agency regarding the future use of his Department's factory at Rhydymwyn, Clwyd. [41242]

§ Mr. Boswell
Officials from my Department have met the Welsh Development Agency on two occasions. My Department continues to work closely with both WDA and Delyn borough council with a view to reaching agreement on the future of the site.