§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) when she expects to receive the Environment Agency's third report on the explosion at Cleansing Services Group Ltd., in Sandhurst, Gloucestershire; and if she will make a statement; [26655]
(2) when she will make a decision on holding a public inquiry into the explosion at Cleansing Services Group Ltd., Sandhurst, Gloucestershire; and if she will make a statement. [26654]
§ Mr. Meacher[holding answer 11 January 2002]: The joint Environment Agency and HSE investigation surrounding the fire of October 2000 is principally complete. However, the agency is undertaking excavations beneath concreted areas at the site to investigate allegations that hazardous waste was buried below the transfer station in the early 1990s. Excavations at the site commenced in mid March. Given the co-operation of the company, the agency expect to complete the excavations and associated investigations next month. In the light of which we will make a decision on whether or not to hold a public inquiry.