§ Lord Hughes of Woodsideasked Her Majesty's Government:
What action has been taken in respect of allegations made by the Newsnight programme on 3 July 2001 concerning the dioxin content of ash used for construction from the Edmonton incinerator. [HL1029]
§ Lord WhittyMy right honourable friend the Minister of State for the Environment is grateful for the opportunity to clarify the Answers he gave on Tuesday 11 July 2000 (H.C. Deb., 11 July, cols. 496–7W) and Monday 26 March 2001 (H.C. Deb., 26 July, col. 565W). Until August 2000, the Edmonton incinerator mixed bottom ash and precipitator ash.
159WAFrom August 1998 to May 1999, this mixed ash was reprocessed and used in the production of concrete building blocks. This ash has also been used as an aggregate.
As the reply to the first of these two questions said, neither the Department nor the Environment Agency routinely held information on the dioxin content of ash from incinerators. However, in July 1998 the Environment Agency was given an estimate of the dioxin content of the mixed ash, based on a 1997 analysis of the fly ash. My right honourable friend was not advised about this when he replied to the second of these Questions and regrets any consequent inaccuracy in his answer. He has written to both MPs and has placed a copy of the letter and the analysis in the fax in the Library of the House.
The Environment Agency is currently carrying out a full and thorough investigation into the destination of ash from incinerators, the environmental implications of its use and what steps may be needed in the light of these findings. This thorough investigation will establish the true picture for all municipal waste incinerators, its results will be made public and any necessary action will be taken.