§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give since 1979, and by division within the Severn-Trent water authority, the number of breaches of European directives for mercury and cadmium in river sediment, in addition to breaches for the pesticide lindane; and what action he has taken to rectify this.
§ Mr. MoynihanThere have been no known breaches of the European directives for mercury, cadmium and lindane within the Severn-Trent water authority since the relevant directives came into effect in 1986. Nevertheless, steps are being taken to reduce further inputs of these substances in line with the undertakings given at the 1987 North sea conference.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list information available to him, by division, within the Severn-Trent water authority, as to the number of miles of prime, game and course fishing rivers which have been unsuitable for fishing since 1979.
§ Mr. MoynihanSince 1980, the Severn-Trent water authority has designated around 2000 km of rivers and canals for the purposes of EEC Directive 78/659/EEC on the quality of freshwater needed to support fish life. These waters are classified as either salmonoid (game fisheries) or cyprinid (coarse fisheries).
I understand that no stretches have become unsuitable for fishing since 1979.