§ Mr. Franksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will make a statement on the damage done by acid rain to lakes and forests in the county of Cumbria; and what the cost has been in terms of loss of revenue to (a) forestry and (b) fish stocks, since 1975;
(2) what information he has on the effects of acid rain on the fish population in the rivers and lakes in Cumbria; and if there is any indication of which species of fish are most vulnerable to the effects of acid rain.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe connection between acid rain deposition and the acidification of waters in certain areas, including Cumbria, is not yet fully understood and is the subject of research. No information is at present available on the effect of acid deposition on fish populations or, hence, on related costs; two isolated fish kills on the Rivers Esk and Duddon have been attributed to the effects of acidity. Research has shown that salmonids (salmon and sea trout) are the most sensitive species. There is no evidence of damage to forests due to acid deposition in Cumbria, or elsewhere in the United Kingdom. There is therefore no loss of revenue to forestry.
§ Mr. Franksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he hopes to be able to make a statement on current European Economic Community proposals for a reduction of emission of sodium dioxide; and what steps he will take to ensure that these recommendations are implemented in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe European Commission has recently published proposals which include a requirement for member states to reduce sulphur dioxide emission from large combustion plants by 60 per cent. by 1995, based on524W 1980 levels. The proposals have major financial and other implications which the Government is considering and will be the subject of negotiation within the Community. The question of implementation does not arise at this stage.