§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has with his European counterparts with respect to fires at waste incinerators. [22277]
§ Mr. ClappisonI am in regular discussion with my European counterparts on environment issues. I have not found it necessary to discuss the question of fires at waste incinerators.
§ Mr. CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what research his Department has conducted into the environmental impact, both short and long-term, of fires at waste incinerators; and if he will make a statement on the findings and conclusions; [22285]
(2) what research his Department has conducted into the health implications of fires at waste incinerators; and if he will make a statement on the conclusions of such research. [22273]
§ Mr. ClappisonMy Department has not conducted any research into this subject.
§ Mr. CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has with the Secretary of State for Health with respect to the health implications of fires at waste incinerators. [22281]
§ Mr. ClappisonI have had no recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Health on the health implications of fires at waste incinerators.
§ Mr. CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance his Department has given to hospitals with respect to the treatment of illness resulting from fires at waste incinerators. [22275]
709W
§ Mr. ClappisonMy Department has not given any advice to hospitals on the treatment of illness resulting from fires at waste incinerators.
§ Mr. CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has had from individuals and organisations concerned with the safety of waste incinerators. [22283]
§ Mr. ClappisonThe Health and Safety Executive's field operations division has no knowledge of any representations concerned with safety of waste incinerators. Such inquiries raised with HSE area offices are not recorded centrally. Most representations received by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution relate to emissions from the incinerators.
§ Mr. CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance he has given to local authorities with respect to the safety of waste incinerators and with respect to the implications of fires at waste incinerators. [22278]
§ Mr. ClappisonI have issued no guidance to local authorities on these matters.
§ Mr. CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with respect to the health implications of fires at waste incinerators. [22274]
§ Mr. ClappisonThe Health and Safety Executive would expect fire authorities to issue appropriate guidance to the public and employees to avoid exposure to a smoke plume in the event of a fire at a waste storage location, and for the public health authorities to consider the implications for public health.
§ Mr. CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment who is responsible for investigating the safety of waste incinerators; with particular reference to fires. [22282]
§ Mr. ClappisonThe health and safety of employees in the event of fire at storage locations at waste incinerators would be considered by Health and Safety Executive inspectors, but this would not normally be extended to matters of public health arising from exposure to any smoke. Storage of waste at municipal waste incinerators is covered by the authorisation granted to the operator by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution, which would take account of any findings relating to its authorisation. Appropriate action would then be taken.
§ Mr. CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people have been treated in each of the last five years for sickness resulting from fires at waste incinerators. [22272]
§ Mr. ClappisonMy Department does not keep these figures.
§ Mr. CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he has taken following the recent fire at the Whitley refuse incinerator in Coventry; and if he will make a statement. [22280]
§ Mr. ClappisonCoventry city local authority is investigating the allegations of adverse health effect following the fire at the Whitley incinerator together with the director of pubic health for the area. Her Majesty's710W inspectorate of pollution will provide any information to assist in determining the likely effects and will consider these findings in relation to any further action.
§ Mr. CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the long-term implications for health of fires at waste incinerators. [22276]
§ Mr. ClappisonHealth and safety of employees in the event of fire at storage locations at waste incinerators would be considered by Health and Safety Executive inspectors. However, this does not normally extend to public health, which is a matter for the local authority environmental health department.