§ Mr. Arthur Jonesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those statutory bodies concerned with toxic contamination of land, water courses and fisheries, which are responsible to him, and which issue annual or periodic reports.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartMy right hon. Friend has certain responsibilities for the Sea Fisheries Committees, appointed under the Sea Fisheries Regulations Act, 1966; and, together with the Secretary of State for the Environment, for River Authorities under the Water Resources Act, 1963, and the Rivers (Prevention of Pollution) Acts, 1951, and 1961.
§ Mr. Arthur Jonesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research is commissioned by his Department into chemical or other toxic contamination of land, water courses and fisheries, and which bodies are involved.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartNo research work of this kind is commissioned by my Department from non-Governmental bodies. Research is carried out by my Department's own laboratories and on experimental husbandry farms into a wide variety of topics, including the effects of contaminants on the soil, fresh water, fish and shellfish. My Department and the Agricultural Research Council also have a joint programme of research that involves work on contamination caused by farm waste disposal.