§ 26. Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research (i) the Environment Agency and (ii) his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the environmental effects of high explosives; and if he will make a statement. [30453]
§ Angela EagleMy Department and the Health and Safety Executive sponsored a consultancy on the environmental impact of accidents involving explosive manufacturing and storage facilities in 1996. The work was specifically related to the implementation of EU Directive 96/82/EC on the control of major-accident hazards involving dangerous substances (the "Seveso II" Directive). Discussions are continuing between the industry, the Environment Agencies and DETR to evaluate the implications of this report.