Public Inquiry Into Re-Chem (Pontypool)

EDM number 212 in 1989-90, proposed by Richard Livsey on 14/12/1989.

That this House notes with concern the conflicting evidence in relation to sources of pollutions from polychlorinated biphenyls and dioxins at the Re-chem incineration plant at Pontypool, which is the prime source treating and incinerating imported polychlorinated biphenyls in Britain; believes that this trade must cease at an early date with toxic waste being safely treated in the country of origin; further notes that 15,000 people live within two miles of the plant; demands that a joint investigation takes place to verify the levels of environmental pollution, utilising the resources of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution, the Environmental Health Department of Torfaen Borough Council, Re-chem and Welsh Water to establish the facts, which should then be subjected to the scrutiny of a public inquiry by the Welsh Office during 1990; believes that, although Re-chem has opposed the idea of a public inquiry, if the company believes in its case it should have nothing to fear from such an inquiry; and accordingly calls on the Secretary of State for Wales to initiate a public inquiry in the interests of the environment and all who live in the area surrounding the plant.

This motion has been signed by a total of 12 MPs.