HC Deb 09 May 1984 vol 59 cc871-2
6. Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the cost to water authorities of conforming to the revised standards of nitrate pollution of water supplies which come into effect in 1985; and if he will make a statement.

The Minister for Housing and Construction (Mr. Ian Gow)

In order to meet in full the European Community directive, which comes into force on 15 July next year, up to £50 million in capital outlay and some £5 million per annum in operational expenditure. However, as my hon. Friend knows, the directive permits derogations and I expect the actual cost to be substantially less.

Mr. Taylor

As the substantial extra expenditure, which will put up water rates further, is the direct consequence of a substantial, dramatic and uncontrolled increase in the use of nitrate fertilisers, is it not deplorable that the Ministry of Agriculture's advisory service has sent a circular to dairy farmers urging them to use even more nitrate fertilisers? Does not my hon. Friend's Department have a special duty to argue for a cut in the use of nitrate fertilisers, in the interests of public health and as a means of keeping down water rates?

Mr. Gow

My hon. Friend has taken a characteristically tenacious interest in this subject. He will know that in the autumn the important provisions of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 come into operation, which will give the Government extra powers to control nitrate pollution. I shall certainly discuss with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the document to which my hon. Friend has referred, and I shall then write to him.

Mr. Wigley

On the problem of pollution of water supplies by excess acidity in reservoirs and lakes, what progress has been made with the proposals which the Minister's Department made for a three-year investigation into this problem?

Mr. Gow

Modest progress.

Mr. Holt

I am sure that the House will congratulate the Northumbria water authority on obtaining an export order from Gibraltar, but can my hon. Friend say, in view of the excessive costs for water ratepayers, what consultations he is having with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer with a view to introducing a water rate rebate system similar to that for ordinary ratepayers?

Mr. Gow

My hon. Friend the Member for Darlington (Mr. Fallon) drew the attention of the House, in the early hours of this morning, to the export order won by the Northumbria water authority; and I join my hon. Friend in paying tribute to that authority. As to rebates for water rates, I am not proposing to have any such discussions with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Mr. David Clark

Does the Minister appreciate that most of this nitrate pollution is caused by the over-use of nitrogenous fertilisers? If the Minister is not prepared to enter into discussions with the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, will he have discussions with the Treasury about putting a tax on nitrogenous fertilisers, to try to make the farmers use it more efficiently and effectively?

Mr. Gow

I have told the House that I am prepared to discuss this with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. As the hon. Gentleman knows, these discussions are continuing, and it is the intention of my right hon. Friend to issue a code of good agricultural practice on this subject in the autumn of this year. That code will apply itself specifically to the problem of nitrates.