HC Deb 09 June 1971 vol 818 cc1028-9
21. Mrs. Kellett

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the studies of dumping and waste disposal in estuaries and tidal waters; and if he will give the figures for waste disposed in estuarial and tidal waters for 1969–70 and 1970–71.

Mr. Peter Walker

A Working Party set up by my Department is investigating the sludge tipping in Liverpool Bay and will be reporting later on this year. The Water Pollution Research Laboratory has made and is making studies of estuaries which include the effects of waste disposal. I have no overall figures for waste disposal in estuarial and tidal waters but the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution is including this subject in its current study of the problems of pollution in tidal waters.

Mrs. Kellett

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. Is he aware that a very small number of unscrupulous firms are moving from one area of tidal water to another, discrediting reputable firms and causing considerable havoc before the law catches up with them, and that a tightening up of the law to deal with such operators is an urgent necessity?

Mr. Walker

I hope that my hon. Friend will give me details of any such cases, which I will certainly look into.

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

My right hon. Friend will be aware that estuarial waters and tidal waters are one of the best sources of water for human consumption. Will he take the utmost precautions to see that these waters are kept clean and used in the near future for that purpose?

Mr. Walker

Yes, Sir. This is why I am pleased that the Royal Commission is giving priority to this topic.