§ Dr. David Clarkasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if the Nature Conservancy Council will conduct an inquiry into the effects of the Southern water authority's action in spraying Romney marshes with Dalapan in the spring.
§ Mr. WaldegraveI am advised that the Nature Conservancy Council and the Southern water authority intend to undertake a joint research project to look into the effects of herbicides on the flora, fauna and water quality of dykes in the Romney Marsh area. It is proposed to commence a three-year study in the Spring of 1985.
§ Dr. David Clarkasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations the Nature Conservancy Council had with the Southern water authority as required under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, section 15 of the Countryside Act 1968 and section 22 of the Water Act 1973 in respect of the spraying of Dalapan on Romney Marshes in the spring.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe Nature Conservancy Council and the Southern water authority met recently to discuss the future use of herbicides on Romney Marshes. The water authority has agreed not to spray Dalapan from helicopters within the area notified as a site of special scientific interest, but have not ruled out the localised use of Dalapan or other chemicals within the site of special scientific interest. A further meeting between the water authority and the NCC to discuss the future management of the dykes within the SSSI will be held in January.