§ 23. Mr. Robert B. JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress the National Rivers Authority is making in regulating the use of rivers and controlling pollution.
§ Mr. TrippierThe National Rivers Authority has been active in all areas since it fully assumed its responsibilities on 1 September 1989. As part of its day-to-day work on pollution control, the authority has successfully prosecuted a number of offenders. The authority has embarked on a number of reviews of policy areas, including the discharge consent system, and it will carry out a national survey of river quality in 1990.
§ Mr. JonesI am grateful to my hon. Friend for his answer. Does he agree that that is an encouraging beginning for the National Rivers Authority? Is he aware, for example, that before the creation of the NRA, the Thames water authority authorised discharge from its sewage stations and polluted the River Gade in my constituency? Is not the NRA a good sign that at long last some action will be taken on those problems?
§ Mr. TrippierMy hon. Friend is absolutely right. Yes, it is encouraging. The most important measure introduced in the Water Act 1989 was the separation of the poacher and gamekeeper functions. We now have what I consider to be the strongest enforcement agency in Europe.
§ Mr. SpeakerWe now come to the private notice question.
§ Mr. Graham Allen (Nottingham, North)On a point of order arising from questions, Mr. Speaker.
§ Mr. Bryan Gould (Dagenham)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I am taking the private notice question. Points of order come after Question Time.
§ Mr. D. N. Campbell-Savours (Workington)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker.
§ Mr. Max Madden (Bradford, West)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker.
§ Mr. Dave Nellist (Coventry, South-East)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I have called the private notice question.
§ Mr. SpeakerDoes the hon. Member for Hamilton (Mr. Robertson) want to ask the private notice question?
§ Mr. George Robertson (Hamilton)rose——
§ Mr. George Howarth (Knowsley, North)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker.
§ Mr. SpeakerI am not taking it. Back-Bench Members know perfectly well that I have allowed a private notice question, which is an extension of Question Time. We have not finished Question Time. I have called the private notice question, and if it is not dealt with now it will be cancelled.
§ Mr. SpeakerI am not taking points of order. I call Mr. George Robertson. He should put his question now or not do it at all.
§ Mr. Robertsonrose——
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker.
§ Mr. MaddenOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker.
§ Mr. George HowarthOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I order the five hon. Members who are standing to sit down.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I am not taking it. I call Mr. George Robertson.
§ Mr. SpeakerI call Mr. Bryan Gould.
§ Mr. SpeakerI call Mr. George Robertson.[HON. MEMBERS: "No."] It was a mistake. I call the hon. Member for Hamilton. Does the hon. Member wish to ask his private notice question or not?