§ Mr. Urwinasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the present position regarding despoliation of Durham beaches by tipping of colliery waste; what further discussions he is having with local authorities concerning reclamation: and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Denis HowellA joint working party of the Department of the Environment, the Department of Energy, the National Coal Board and the local authorities concerned is considering the best means of bringing beach tipping to an end and reclaiming the beaches at reasonable cost without endangering the future of the pits involved. Alternative means of disposing of the waste are under examination and progress is being made. The tipping of waste from one pit has already ceased and a reclamation scheme for that area at an estimated gross cost of £249,000 has been approved for grant. It is expected that the working party will make an interim report in the autumn.
§ Mr. Urwinasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the total volume of raw sewage discharged weekly into the North Sea at points between South Shields and Hartlepool; on how many occasions authority has recently been given to sewage disposal by such means; and what alternative means of disposal he is considering;
(2) what steps he proposes to take to eliminate pollution at Seaham Harbour arising from the discharge of raw sewage directly into the sea.
§ Mr. Denis HowellThe data collected early in 1972 for the Survey of Discharges of Foul Sewage to the Coastal Waters of England and Wales show that 414,000 cubic metres of crude sewage were discharged per week, of which 255,000 cubic metres were screened before discharge.
I understand that the Northumbrian Water Authority is presently reviewing all 387W its discharges to the sea, and a feasibility study has recently been completed for the Seaham area. A partial treatment works soon to be started at Sunderland, and the Tyne scheme, will reduce the number of outfalls and have a significant effect on conditions in the area. Water authorities are responsible for determining what schemes are to be undertaken within current financial constraints.