§ Mr. Staintonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his attention has been drawn to recent cases of river pollution and the death of fish; and if he will make a statement regarding his proposals to amend the relevant statutes, both as regards the scale of penalties and the responsibilities to make good.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsYes. My right hon. Friend expects to propose substantial increases in penalties for river pollution. Other proposals will include provisions in some cases requiring and in others enabling the proposed new water authorities to make good any damage and to recover the costs from the polluters responsible for it.