§ Mr. David Youngasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will approach the European Commission to seek a change in the financing of environmental improvement works under the Mersey basin programme.
§ Mr. TrippierThe Department has recently negotiated a more flexible interpretation of the rules relating to environmental improvement works within national programmes of community interest. This will be of benefit to the Mersey basin programme.
§ Mr. Stottasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now take steps to consult relevant local authorities about Her Majesty's Government's submission to the European Commission of phase 2 of the Mersey basin programme; why no consultation has taken place so far; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. TrippierConsultation had in fact been under way since November 1986 through the three local authority-led Project Groups of the Mersey Basin Campaign, though the Department has receved only 15 responses from individual local authorities and other public bodies, including Wigan M BC. This together with information held centrally, has been sufficient to build up a satisfactory submission to the European Commission. I hope for a favourable response at about the end of this year.