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Written question asked by Paul Robert Holmes (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 3 March 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 14 March 2005. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Monday, 14 March 2005 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what sub-groups have been set up to the Soil Guideline Values Taskforce; when she expects them to report to the Taskforce; and if she will make a statement; what the aims of the Soil Guideline Values Taskforce are; and if she will make a statement; what discussions she has had with local councils regarding contaminated land and the Soil Guideline Values Taskforce; and if she will make a statement; what guidance she has given local councils regarding dealing with (a) contaminated land and (b) contaminated residential land with regard to the Soil Guideline Values Taskforce; and if she will make a statement; when she expects the Soil Guidelines Values Taskforce to report; whether its report will be publicly available; and if she will make a statement.
Answer

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what sub- groups have been set up to the Soil Guideline Values Task Force; when she expects them to report to the Task Force; and if she will make a statement; [220900] (2) what the aims of the Soil Guideline Values Task Force are; and if she will make a statement; [220901] (3) what discussions she has had with local councils regarding contaminated land and the Soil Guideline Values Task Force; and if she will make a statement; [220914] (4) what guidance she has given local councils regarding dealing with (a) contaminated land and (b) contaminated residential land with regard to the Soil Guideline Values Task Force; and if she will make a statement; [220915] (5) when she expects the Soil Guidelines Values Task Force to report; whether its report will be publicly available; and if she will make a statement. [220916] Mr. Morley: The Soil Guideline Values Task Force is an initiative of the Cabinet Office Business Regulation team and the Government Departments and Agencies most involved in the publication of the Defra/ Environment Agency soil guideline values and related materials. This technical guidance helps in assessing risk to human health in connection with land contamination, for example when considering regulatory action or proposals for development of land. Two subgroups have recently been set up to explore training and possible additional guidance. The Local Authority Standing Conference on Land Contamination is represented on the Task Force, and all local authorities in England were notified about the initiative earlier this year. No other guidance has been given to local authorities in respect of the Task Force. We currently expect proposals from the Task Force later in the year, and that these will be made publicly available.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
432 c8-9W; 220900;220901;220914;220915;220916
Session
2004-05
Subjects
Contamination Land Health hazards
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk