§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many applications for the relaxation of local controls on the discharge of effluent from sewage works have been received by his Department so far in 1988; which water authorities have made such applications; which sewage works are concerned; and what are the reasons given for the application.
§ Mr. MoynihanDuring the period 1 January to 11 October 1988 the Department has received the following numbers of applications from water authorities in England under the Control of Pollution Act 1974: Anglian—65; Northumbrian—13; North-West—57; Severn Trent—77; Southern—18; South-West—44; Thames—36; Wessex—37; Yorkshire—40.
The majority of these were in respect of either new or previously unconsented storm and emergency overflows. A number of those submitted by the Anglian and Wessex water authorities were in respect of relaxations. Those for Anglian consisted of a backlog of applications from the review of consents undertaken by water authorities in 1985 as part of the process of implementing the Control of Pollution Act 1974. Those from the Wessex water authority are still being considered. Readily collatable records are only kept of applications received and consents issued so it is not possible to give the reasons for each application. However, water authorities maintain public registers which include details of applications made and consents issued.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received regarding the adequacy of the standard set by his Department on the maximum levels of solid matter and oxygen burning effluent permitted to be discharged into the river system by sewage workers.
§ Mr. MoynihanConsent conditions for discharges from water authority works are set by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution on a case by case basis. There is no general maximum level. No representations have been received regarding the adequacy of the conditions set.