§ Mr. HardyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has on cases of toxic waste sites being in close proximity to underground water supplies.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-Amory[holding answer 6 July 1990]: This is a matter primarily for waste disposal authorities in carrying out their disposal licensing functions under the Control of Pollution Act 1974. Prior to their assuming these responsibilities, the Department and Institute of Geological Sciences co-operated with local government and water authorities in 1973–74 on a desk survey of disposal sites which might pose risks to water. The survey results were published in 1975. More recently a list of the sites has been supplied to the National Rivers Authority to assist in its review of groundwater monitoring requirements.