§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what the Government's policy is on whether the United States vessels now en route to Hartlepool should continue their voyage; [137142]
(2) what action she plans to take to manage the environmental risk posed by former United States naval vessels in British waters pending the resolution of the court proceedings due in December; [137700]
(3) assessment she has made of the implications for the work of (a) her Department and (b) the Environment Agency of the injunction obtained against Able UK by Friends of the Earth on 5 November; [137702]
(4) what representations the Government has made to the United States Marine Administration to secure the return of United States former naval vessels to the United States. [137701]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 10 November 2003]: Following discussions on Friday 7 November, between my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and Secretary Mineta of the US Department of Transportation, it has been decided that for safety reasons, the first two ships currently on the way to the UK will continue to Hartlepool for safe storage, pending return to the US. This decision was taken after consideration by the Environment Agency and Government Departments of alternative storage sites. No other site is able to take the ships safely at short notice.
The US authorities have been told that the proposed shipment of these vessels to Hartlepool for dismantling cannot be completed consistent with international rules and Community law. In this situation the law requires the ships to be returned to the United States. However, the immediate return to the United States of the first two ships, which are now approaching the Channel, would be impracticable, not least because of concerns about the weather.
When the ships arrive at Hartlepool, the Environment Agency will place requirements on them to ensure the environment is fully protected and that the ships remain ready for return to the USA. No work is permitted on the ships given the current court injunction.
408WThe UK Government and its Agencies continue to work intensively with the US authorities to examine the safety and liability concerns they have raised to proposals that the second pair of ships, currently in transit to the UK, return to the US, and are looking for rapid resolution of that question.
§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what contingency plans have been made by the Environment Agency to deal with United States vessels bound for decommissioning at Hartlepool if they are unable to enter the port. [137146]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 10 November 2003]: The port authority concerned, PD Teesport, has confirmed that the vessels would be permitted to enter the port.
§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs at what level in(a) the Environment Agency and (b) the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs September's modification to Able UK's waste management licence was approved.[137698]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 10 November 2003]: The Environment Agency is the regulator of waste management issues in England and Wales. The modification was approved and signed by the local Environment Manager with specific responsibility for Teesside, in accordance with Agency procedures. The decision to sign the modification was cleared with the local Area Manager and appropriate Agency Directors.
The Government have no direct role in the approval of applications for waste management licence modifications, though there is a right of appeal to the Secretary of State should a licence modification application be rejected.
§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the waste management licence originally issued by the Environment Agency to Able UK covered the dismantling of ships. [137699]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 10 November 2003]: No. The original licence issued by the Environment Agency for the site at Hartlepool did not specifically cover the dismantling of the ships. However, the licence authorises the dismantling of offshore structures, and any associated plant and equipment.