§ Mr. BarnesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make arrangements for the testing of dioxin levels at the site of Avenue Cokeworks, Wingerworth, Derbyshire. [59597]
§ Mr. MealeI refer to a statement made by the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Wellasey (Angela Eagle), on 29 April 1998,Official Report, columns 129-30, about the testing of dioxin levels at the site of the former Avenue Cokeworks at Wingerworth in Derbyshire.
The activities at this site, which ceased operation in 1992, were not considered to be significant sources of dioxins. Only background levels of dioxins have been detected in the sludge from tanks where drainage water from the site is collected and no significant dioxin levels have been detected in the sediments of the River Rother upstream of its confluence with the River Doe Lea. The Environment Agency has no plans to initiate new tests for dioxins at the site.