Dumping at Sea Act 1974

HC Deb 06 July 1981 vol 8 cc57-8W

Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the operation of the Dumping at Sea Act 1974 in protecting the marine environment and the living resources which it supports from any adverse consequences of dumping.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

Information on surface dose rates prior to 1976 is not readily available and could only be extracted with disproportionate effort. The figures for 1976 to 1980 are as follows:

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

Yes. I believe that the powers available under the Dumping at Sea Act 1974 have enabled successive Governments to exert much more effective control over the disposal of wastes at sea so as to protect the marine environment and its living resources from permanent damage.