Orphan Sites: Hazardous Waste Debate
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Lord West of Spithead
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Orphan Sites: Hazardous Waste
Lord West of Spithead Excerpts(8 months, 2 weeks ago)
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Lord Benyon (Con)
Contaminated land is a very broad term. It relates to land that poses no risk to the environment or to public health right through to really toxic, unpleasant substances such as parts of fridges which, if burned, can release cyanide. It is rightly the job of the local authority, working with the Environment Agency, to make sure that, where there is a problem, it is cleared up. We have had a system in place since 2018 seeking to do that and, in certain circumstances, the Environment Agency can go in and do the work itself. It is important that we work with the best possible science and evidence, and that we take action where we need to do so.
Lord West of Spithead (Lab)
My Lords, can the Minister tell us about another type of waste—radioactive waste—and how the geological disposal facility is moving ahead? Is it moving ahead as we hoped it would? What sort of timescales does it have?
Lord Benyon (Con)
The noble Lord is asking about an issue that is not in my knowledge. I will therefore write to him on the matter.