§ LORD O'HAGANasked Her Majesty's Government:
What evidence they have for thinking that the "agricultural run-off " of 926WA nitrates into British rivers is decreasing.
§ LORD BESWICKThe evidence presently available is insufficient to establish the extent of nitrate run-off from agricultural land, nor can it yet be said how much of this is due to the application of nitrogenous fertilisers. The Natural Environment Research Council, which is the responsibility of my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science, is conducting an inquiry, with the assistance of the appropriate research organisations, into this and other aspects of the problem of the enrichment of inland waters.