Examination of Witnesses (Questions 60-62)
2 DECEMBER 2003
MARGARET BECKETT
MP AND MS
LINDSAY CORNISH
Q60 Sue Doughty: I hope that the noise
that industry and the Environment Agency are making is also being
directed to you, because somehow we are getting the impression
very strongly from them, that there is a massive problem coming
along. I hope that it has been made clear in those terms to your
Department, Secretary of State.
Margaret Beckett: I have already
told the Committee what has been said to my Department. We set
up the Hazardous Waste Forum precisely in order to focus attention
on these issues. Their action plan includes contingency planning;
and at this moment in time, as I have said, the indication we
have now is that it will not be easy, and potentially it will
be somewhat tight, but that it is not beyond our reach. Certainly,
if it is their view that some of it is beyond our reach, frankly
I would have hoped that they would make that much more clear to
us, even before they conveyed that view to this Committee.
Q61 Mr Thomas: Are you saying that none
of the major waste disposal companies are warning you now that
there is a huge problem in the offing because of co-disposal?
The evidence we have got is that at least Biffa, if not other
companies, have told you and the ODPM that another fridge mountain
is in the offing unless something is done to ensure sufficient
disposal of hazardous waste, whether in cells or hazardous waste
disposal sites. Have you not been warned by them?
Margaret Beckett: My understanding
is that the industry is telling us, and the other players, through
the Hazardous Waste Forum, that of course there is a problem,
a fairly substantial problem, but that they believe that while
it will not be easy there should be capacity to deal with that
problem. If that changes, then indeed I would expect to be told.
Q62 Sue Doughty: There are consequential
problems, not only the enormous problems of identifying; but we
had a note from Mr Phil Kerby, a member of the Urban Task Force,
who has reminded us about the need for brownfield sites to satisfy
the Government's housing programme, and the major problem that
there will be of contaminated soil which needs processing. The
whole strategy will price out of the market those mechanisms which
can deal with the soil taken away from those sites and deliver
it back through partnerships and onwards for house-building. That
is a further consequential problem. Has the ODPM raised this with
you?
Ms Cornish: There have been official-level
discussions on this issue.
Chairman: We hope you are grateful to
us for having brought that to your attention because it is a matter
of great significance and growing concern. Secretary of State,
we are all very grateful to you for your time and your answers.
It has been a very interesting and fruitful session.
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