HC Deb 25 April 1996 vol 276 cc235-6W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 2 April,Official Report, column 169, if human organs subsequent to pathological examination should be classified as waste, and upon disposal require the completion of waste transfer notes under the duty of care regulations. [25776]

Mr. Clappison

The issues which need to be addressed in the circumstances described by the hon. Member are those which I set out in my answer of 2 April 1996,Official Report, column 169.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what organs or body parts of (i) Ronnie Kray and (ii) Frederick West(a) should have been, according to his Department's guidance, and (b) were recorded on a duty of care waste transfer note; and if he will make a statement. [25853]

Mr. Clappison

It is the responsibility of the producer or the person in possession of a substance to decide whether it is waste and, if so, to take the necessary action in relation to that waste. It is the responsibility of the person transferring controlled waste, and the person to whom such waste is being transferred, to take the action in relation to transfer notes which is required by the Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations 1991. The Department does not have a right of access to records kept under the 1991 regulations.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if human corpses are classified as waste; and if human corpses are subject to duty of care work transfer notes as controlled waste. [25775]

Mr. Clappison

The burial and cremation of human corpses are outside the scope of legislation on waste.