HC Deb 20 January 2004 vol 416 c1197W
Mrs. Spelman

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the US ships intended for decommissioning by Able UK contain chemicals banned in the US. [142022]

Mr. Morley

The US Toxic Substances Control Act generally prohibits the export of PCBs greater in concentration that 50 ppm although an enforcement discretion permitted the export of PCBs above this concentration on the condition that all liquid or easily accessible PCBs were removed beforehand. We understand that all such PCBs were removed as part of the contractual obligations between the US Maritime Administration and Able UK Ltd.

Mrs. Spelman

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the High Court ruling on 8 December regarding the dismantling of the contaminated former US naval ships. [143988]

Mr. Morley

No. Defra were not a party in the case and it is possible that parties will appeal against the decision. The ships are not contaminated any more or less than any similar ship of their age. To describe them as such is misleading.