§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many incidents of pollution in (i) the river Lagan and (ii) other inland waters have occurred in each year from 1974 to the latest available date;
(2) how many prosecutions for pollution in (i) the river Lagan and (ii) other inland watercourses and lakes excluding the river Lagan have taken place in each of the years from 1974 to the latest available date;
(3) what has been the estimated cost in fishing areas of pollution in inland watercourses and lakes as a result of pollution in each of the years from 1974 to the latest date;
(4) how many incidents of pollution in the (i) river Lagan, (ii) other inland watercourses and lakes can be attributed to the Department of the Environment in each of the years from 1974 to the latest date.
§ Mr. Chris PattenThe available information is as follows:
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(1) (2) (3) Prosecutions Incidents of pollution (a) River Lagan (b) Other Pollution incidents due to sewage effluent 1974 N/A 2 10 67 1975 432 0 2 48 1976 775 0 1 28 1977 605 3 37 63 1978 551 0 17 67 1979 719 1 27 80 1980 616 2 31 64 1981 501 0 20 N/A 1982 N/A 0 12 N/A Information on the numbers of pollution incidents in the river Lagan is not immediately available. I shall write to the hon. Gentleman.
Separate information on incidents attributable to the Department of the Environment (Northern Ireland) is not available, but it is estimated that approximately 25 per cent. of the incidents in column (3) originated from private sources.
The information requested in respect of costs is not available.