§ Dr. David Clarkasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what steps he has taken to satisfy himself that the regional water authorities are maintaining full, accurate and up-to-date records of all analyses of water samples as required under the Control of Pollution Act 1974;
(2) what plans he has to ensure that the Anglian water authority compiles and publishes full and accurate records of all analysis of water samples as required under the Control of Pollution Act 1974; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldegraveRegulations under the Control of Pollution Act were made last year prescribing the particulars to be included in the registers which the Anglian and all water authorities are required to maintain. The registers are available to officers of my Department and are open to public inspection. The particulars include details of samples of effluent taken under section 113(1) of the Water Resources Act 1963, of samples taken for water pollution control purposes of discharges of effluent by the authorities themselves and of samples of water taken for water pollution control purposes.
621WAs part of its water privatisation plans, the Government will shortly issue a consultation paper on environmental issues and is considering seeking suggestions for possible ways of improving the value of the public registers.