§ Mr. Donald Stewartasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when the penalties for pollution of freshwater rivers were last laid down; and whether he is satisfied with their adequacy.
§ Mr. Denis HowellIncreased penalties for the pollution of rivers were laid down by Parliament in the Control of Pollution Act 1974, but the provisions in question are not yet being brought into force. Until they are the penalties prescribed in the Rivers (Prevention of Pollution) Acts 1951–61 in England and Wales and in the Rivers (Prevention of Pollution) (Scotland) Acts 1951–65 continue to apply.