HC Deb 02 April 1998 vol 309 cc595-7W
Sir Alastair Goodlad

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what communications his Department has had with Cheshire County Council about the future of 3C Waste. [37080]

Angela Eagle

My department has had no recent correspondence with Cheshire about their Local Authority Waste Disposal Company (LAWDC) 3C Waste. Cheshire completed divestment of their waste disposal facilities and functions to 3C on 1 February 1993. 3C is still 100 per cent. owned by the County Council but I understand that they are considering transferring it to private sector ownership. This is entirely compatible with current legislation.

Sir Alastair Goodlad

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what communications his Department has had with Cheshire County Council about local waste disposal policy. [37082]

Angela Eagle

Officials in my department commented on Cheshire's draft Waste Local Plan in November last year. It appeared to conform with the most recent statement of Government policy on waste management, the 1995 White Paper Making Waste Work. The Council are now considering these and others' comments. I understand that the Deposit Waste Local Plan will be published later this year. A six week public consultation period and a public local inquiry chaired by a independent inspector will follow as normal.

Sir Alastair Goodlad

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his Department's policy towards(a) incineration, (b) landraising and (c) landfill, as a method of waste disposal. [37083]

Angela Eagle

This Government are aiming for more sustainable waste management with high standards of environmental protection. Incineration with energy recovery is, in principle, and in accordance with the waste management hierarchy, preferable to landfilling (including landraising). However, which option is employed for a particular waste stream and in a particular area depends on the Best Practicable Environmental Option.

On 13 January 1998, Official Report, column 160, my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment announced a review of sustainable waste management policies which will culminate in a statutory waste strategy. A consultation paper will be issued in May.

Sir Alastair Goodlad

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what communications his Department has had with North West local authorities about options for future waste disposal in the Mersey Belt; and if he will make a statement. [37084]

Angela Eagle

The Government Office for the North West have asked local authorities through the North West Regional Association (Regional Planning Conference) to provide a report on the facilities for the disposal of waste in the North West Region. According to RPG13, the region should seek to provide a network of waste management facilities located, wherever possible, in close proximity to the source of the arisings and that these should be identified in Development Plans. The NWRA are preparing the report and will forward it to the Regional Office in due course.

In addition, officials from the Government Office for the North West regularly attend Local Authority Recycling Officers forums and the North West Central Region recycling forum, to discuss waste and recycling issues with officers from all of the authorities in the area.

Mr. Llwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what health and safety regulations apply to landfill sites. [37151]

Angela Eagle

Health and safety regulations made under the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 generally apply to landfill sites where there is employment. Regulations place duties on employers, the self-employed, and others, in relation to the management of health and safety and risks arising from, for example machinery, processes and work activities. The application of specific regulations made under that Act will depend on the nature of the work activity.

In addition, the following legislation, which has some health and safety impact, may also apply: the Environment Protection Act 1990; the Fire Precautions Act 1971; and the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985, if pesticides are used.