§ Mr. HoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of the Clyde Purification Board to discuss the likely effects of opencast mining in the Douglas valley; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonMy right hon. Friend has not met representatives of the Clyde river purification board for this purpose and he has no plans to do so.
Discharges of trade effluent from opencast mines require the consent of the appropriate river purification board; applications for consent are advertised in accordance with section 36(1)(a) of the Control of Pollution Act 1974. Any representations received about the likely effects of such discharges on the water environment are carefully considered by the board in deciding whether, and subject to what conditions, consent should be granted.