HC Deb 21 July 1998 vol 316 c464W
Mr. Barnes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will introduce regulations to give the Health and Safety Executive and the Environment Agency increased powers to withdraw licences for the operation of reclamation processes for reasons relating to the protection of human health and the environment. [51092]

Angela Eagle

The Health and Safety Executive has powers to prohibit any work activity which involves or will involve a risk of serious personal injury. The Environment Agency has powers, under section 38 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, to revoke a waste management licence which has been issued for a reclamation process where the continuation of the activities authorised by the licence would cause pollution of the environment or harm to human health. We have no evidence that these powers are not adequate and we have no plans to increase them.

Forward to