HC Deb 22 November 1978 vol 958 c664W
Mr. Mudd

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now initiate action under section 31(1)(a) and section 31(5) of the Control of Pollution Act 1974, to terminate the entry of polluting matter to the shoreline and waters of Falmouth Harbour and the adjacent rivers and coast.

Mr. Denis Howell

Section 31 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 is not yet in force. Following my reply of 13th April to my right hon. Friend the member for Jarrow (Mr. Fernyhough), a phased timetable is well under way for the implementation of all the major provisions of part II by the end of 1979. I am afraid it is simply not practicable to speed up the timetable, nor to bring in section 31 in advance.—[Vol. 947, c. 499–500.]