HC Deb 30 March 1990 vol 170 cc360-1W
Mr. Graham

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimate of the additional poll tax that will have to be levied in each of the Scottish regions to cover the cost of the reduction of dumping of sewage sludge for each year to 1998.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

This is entirely a matter for the authorities concerned.

Mr. Graham

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many tonnes of sewage sludge were dumped at sea by each of the Scottish regions in each year since 1979;

(2) how many tonnes of sewage sludge will be dumped at sea by each of the Scottish regions in each year to 1998.

Mr. Lang

The information is set out in the table:

(Wet tonnes) millions
Lothian Strathclyde
1979 0.33 0.70
1980 0.32 1.71
1981 0.29 1.51
1982 0.25 1.47
1983 0.22 1.57
(Wet tonnes) millions
Lothian Strathclyde
1984 0.23 1.71
1985 0.21 1.69
1986 0.17 1.70
1987 0.25 1.70
1988 0.25 1.70
1989 0.25 1.70

The Government have already announced that the dumping of sewage sludge at sea will cease by 1998. Until then, local authorities wishing to continue the practice will require, as at present, to seek annual renewal of their sea disposal licences. It is not possible to say precisely how much sewage sludge will be dumped at sea in the future. However, the quantities of contaminants in the sludge will require, as at present, to be contained within 1987 levels.

Mr. Graham

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated cost of ending the dumping of sewage sludge at sea for each of the Scottish regions for each year to 1998.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

The only authorities affected by the ending of the dumping of sewage sludge at sea are Strathclyde and Lothian regional councils. They will be called upon to submit programmes before the end of 1990 for changing to land-based disposal routes. Preliminary assessments indicate that the capital cost of incineration as an alternative to sea disposal might be about £52 million for Strathclyde and £12 million for Lothian but, until the authorities' programmes are available, it is not possible to say what expenditure will be incurred in each year.