§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his latest information concerning the presence of toxic or noxious algae or other such contaminated substances generated by the dumping of sewage sludge and chemicals in the Firth of Clyde; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LangThere are no reports at present of toxic algal blooms in the Firth of Clyde. Such events are rare and naturally occurring and I am not aware of any scientific evidence to show a connection with the dumping of sewage sludge and chemicals in the sea and toxic or noxious algae or other such contaminated substances.
The dumping of sewage sludge at Garroch Head in the Firth of Clyde is controlled by licences issued by my right hon. and learned Friend and carefully monitored both as a condition of the licence and by detailed surveys by DAFS.