§ Mr. SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will detail the progress being made to fulfil United Kingdom commitments to a 50 per cent. reduction in pollution levels of pesticides and heavy metals going into the North sea. [17476]
§ Mr. AtkinsA comprehensive progress report on the mplementation of all the commitments made at the third international conference on the protection of the North sea, including that to achieve significant reductions—of 50 per cent. or more—of inputs to the North sea of certain listed hazardous substances, is being prepared jointly by the North sea states, and will be published for the fourth North sea conference in June. A copy will be placed in Library.
Allowing for the difficulties of assessment and comparison, this report will show that the United Kingdom has reduced, by about 50 per cent. or more, 1054W inputs of 12 of the 16 pesticides, and seven of the eight heavy metals, in the list. Other reductions have also been achieved.