HC Deb 11 December 1989 vol 163 cc653-4
7. Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many incidents of notified discharges into rivers in Wales took place in 1988 and to date in 1989; and how many prosecutions have taken place during the same period in respect of illegal discharges.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Ian Grist)

The latest published figures, in Welsh Water's report and accounts 1988–89, show that there were 2,185 substantiated river pollution incidents in Welsh Water's area in 1988, 12 per cent. less than in 1987. During 1988, 74 prosecutions were brought by Welsh Water, resulting in 72 convictions. In the period to the end of October 1989 there have been 1,140 substantial incidents and 45 prosecutions have been brought.

Mr. Jones

When the Government are seeking to promote their green image, does the Minister consider it a scandal that the level of trade effluent discharges and untreated sewage into our rivers is increasing substantially? Will he examine the claims of the Farmers Union of Wales that discharges into rivers in my constituency are 200 per cent. greater than they were two years ago? If that is the case and consents have been given, will the Minister assure us that the consents were not given to prevent the National Rivers Authority from undertaking prosecutions in the run-up to water privatisation?

Mr. Grist

I am afraid that the hon. Gentleman is talking absolute rubbish—and populist, scaring rubbish at that. Nevertheless, I shall pass his query to the National Rivers Authority, because it has the responsibility.

Mr. John Marshall

I congratulate my hon. Friend on the successful privatisation of Welsh Water today. Does he agree that the privatisation of Welsh Water and the National Rivers Authority is the best guarantee of cleaner rivers in Wales?

Mr. Grist

Absolutely. My hon. Friend is quite right. At last we have separated the gamekeeper from the poacher, and we have a licensing authority that is free of the charge of polluting. I am afraid that the hon. Member for Ynys Môn (Mr. Jones) does not seem to have understood that point.