§ Mr. Silkinasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in the light of the recent discharges into the Rhine of certain toxic chemicals, he is satisfied that the water authorities have adequate contingency plans to contain or direct chemicals from their water and to provide alternative supplies in the event of a large water body being contaminated within their area.
§ Mr. WaldegraveFollowing a pollution incident on the River Dee in 1984, my Department asked the Water Authorities Association and Water Companies Association to report upon measures needed to protect river-derived water supplies in the event of a similar incident. In the light of that report, all water authorities and water companies reviewed their emergency procedures and informed my Department of the steps they were taking to fill gaps identified. A number of recent pollution incidents have shown that adequate contingency plans do exist.
I shall, however, consider whether there are any lessons to be learnt from the recent incidents on the Rhine to see whether more needs to be done.