§ Mr. Patrick ThompsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress the National Rivers Authority has made towards introducing a scheme of charges for consents to discharge effluent to water.
§ Mr. BaldryThe National Rivers Authority introduced charges for applications for discharge consents from 1 October last year. It has now put forward proposals for annual charges to be levied on consent holders from 1 July this year. Copies of the proposals have been placed in the Library. Interested parties have until 30 April to comment on the proposals, which can be put into effect only if approved by my right hon. Friend.