§ Dr. David Clarkasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will announce before 26 July his decision on applications to the European Community for derogations or time limits in respect of the European Economic Community directive on water quality; and if he will publish the derogations and time limits.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneI shall answer this question shortly.
§ Mr. Galleyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to promote public access to information on environmental water quality.
§ Mr. WaldegraveMy Department is tomorrow issuing a circular concerning the form, content and availability of public registers of data on discharges to surface and underground waters and related information on the licences under which they are made and on environmental water quality.
The registers are to be maintained by water pollution control authorities in accordance with the regulations laid before this House on 5 June and to be open to the public from 31 July.
Establishment of the registers substantially completes the Government's programme for implementing the main provisions of part II of the Control of Pollution Act 1974, and will further strengthen the framework available for promoting our objectives for the maintenance and improvement of water quality.
211WThe opening of the registers will mark an important step forward in accountability and access to information on environmental matters and one which will, I believe, be widely welcomed by water authorities, industry and environmental interests.