§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many representations he has received regarding river water pollution from mining or former mining works in each region in England during the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AtkinsIn the past year, some 60 representations have been received expressing concern specifically about potential or actual mine water pollution in the National Rivers Authority's Northumbria and Yorkshire region; eight in the Severn-Trent region, two in the North West region and five in the South Western region. In addition there have been some 20 general representations.
§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what changes have taken place in each of the last 10 years in river water quality in the north-west; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe relevant five-year river quality surveys for 1985 and 1990 are available in the House Library. The most recent report on river quality by the National Rivers Authority, published in May 1994, shows a significant improvement in the north-west, with the proportion of good quality rivers increasing from 42 per cent. to 53 per cent. between 1990 and 1992, and the proportion of poor or bad quality rivers declining from 27 per cent. to 19 per cent.