§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what guidelines he follows in assessing the economic availability of the best available technology in relation to point sources discharges into the North sea;
(2) if he will list those toxic substances that are likely to accumulate in living organisms and which should be controlled by emission standards based on the best available technology.
§ Mr. MoynihanThe principal criterion currently governing the setting of discharge consents is the need to protect the aquatic environment and safeguard legitimate uses of water, normally by reference to particular quality objectives or standards for receiving waters.
However, I announced on 18 November that the Government intend to introduce an additional requirement for industrial processes discharging significant quantities of certain dangerous substances to use the best available technology not entailing excessive cost in order to minimise inputs of those substances. Detailed proposals, including how such a requirement might be applied, and to which substances, will be included in a forthcoming consultation paper.