§ Mr. AmosTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he has taken to protect the water environment from pollution by dangerous substances; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NeedhamControls on discharge of dangerous substances to the water environment are exercised by the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland under the Water Act (Northern Ireland) 1972. Discharges must enable receiving waters to meet relevant environmental quality standards—EQSs. Environmental quality standards for a number of red list substances are already in use in Northern Ireland: proposals for environmental quality standards for the remaining red list substances are set out in a consultation paper to be issued shortly, copies of which will be placed in the Library.