Written question asked by Elfyn Llwyd (Plaid Cymru) on Monday, 14 February 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 21 February 2000. It was answered by Lord Hutton of Furness (Labour) on Monday, 21 February 2000 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what criteria those firms certificated to remove used mercury-based amalgams from dentists' surgeries have to meet.

Answer: Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria those firms certificated to remove used mercury-based amalgams from dentists' surgeries have to meet. [110483] Mr. Hutton: Any person transporting waste, including amalgam, from dentists' surgeries in the course of their business is required, under the Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989, to be registered with the Environment Agency as a "waste carrier". Waste carriers are also subject to the "Duty of Care" under section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. This requires that all reasonable steps should be taken to keep waste safe.

Secondary information