§ Mr. Evelyn Kingasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to ensure that where controversial sewage treatment schemes are introduced with potential danger to the environment and costing millions of pounds, provision is made for a public inquiry prior to implementation.
§ Mr. Denis HowellNo. Powers are already available under current pollution control legislation for public local inquiries to be held, where necessary, into proposals by water authorities for the discharge of sewage effluent to rivers and estuaries. Similar powers are contained in the Control of Pollution Act 1974, Part II of which will, when implemented, extend control to discharges to all coastal waters.