Written question asked by Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 7 March 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 11 March 2008. It was answered by Lord Murphy of Torfaen (Labour) on Monday, 17 March 2008 on behalf of the Wales Office.

Brofiscin Quarry: Hazardous Substances

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on what date (a) his Department was made aware of the illegal dumping of toxic waste at Brofiscin Quarry, (b) the Environment Agency began their investigations, (c) Monsanto provided details to his Department of the substances they placed in the quarry, (d) details of contaminants were provided by Gwnwg Gowan and (e) his Department was made aware of the research conducted by ICI laboratories in Brixham, Guelph University (Canada) and the National Water Quality Laboratory in Duluth; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: (a) All records relating to the former Welsh Office on this issue have been transferred to the Welsh Assembly government. However, I understand that the Welsh Office was aware of the contamination in 1975 from a report prepared by the Water Pollution Research Laboratory on behalf of the then Department for the Environment.(b) In March 2005 the Environment Agency began its investigations of Brofiscin Quarry pursuant to the provisions of part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 following designation of the site under the Act as a 'special site' by Rhondda Cynon Taf county borough council. The Environment Agency has been involved in site investigations at Brofiscin Quarry since 2001.(c) The Environment Agency has, in the course of its inquiries, contacted many individuals and companies. Monsanto has, at various stages in the investigation, provided the Environment Agency with information relating to its involvement with the site.(d) and (e) Mr. Douglas Gowan has provided the Environment Agency with a significant amount of information on a wide range of issues relating to Brofiscin Quarry since early 2006. This has included details of contaminants and research laboratories.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 193515; 473 c819W;473 c815W
Session: 2007-08
Related items: Brofiscin Quarry: Hazardous Substances
Tuesday, 1 April 2008
Written questions
House of Commons; Brofiscin Quarry: Hazardous Substances
Monday, 31 March 2008
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Hazardous substances Brofiscin Quarry
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk