HC Deb 18 July 1972 vol 841 cc93-4W
Mr. Laurance Reed

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment why he has issued his consultation paper on waste disposal in marine waters before the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution have completed and published its findings on the subject.

Mr. Peter Walker

So that preparations for legislation on water reorganisation are not held up. I have already had the benefit of the preliminary views of the Royal Commission on the recommendation of the working party on sewage disposal, upon which the consultation paper is based.

Mr. Laurance Reed

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will extend the period allowed for comments on his consultation paper on marine disposals so as to allow people, who might wish to make representations, time to study and digest the conclusions of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution to be published in September.

Mr. Peter Walker

No. In deciding on the proposals to be presented to Parliament I shall, of course, take account of the forthcoming report of the Royal Commission. But I do not think that preparation of the legislation should be delayed and, while I shall certainly consider any views put to me at a later stage by other people, I hope that they will comment before the end of July on the proposals in the consultation paper.