§ Mr. Jannerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received concerning pollution in rivers and canals in Leicestershire.
§ Mr. WaldegraveFollowing an incident affecting the river Soar, my right hon. Friend received a number of representations last year about powers to control water pollution. However as I indicated in my answer on 17 December 1986 at column 580, the existing powers for dealing with pollution in rivers and canals are generally considered adequate. The condition of rivers and canals in the Severn Trent water authority area was described in the recently published report, "River Quality in England and Wales 1985". This showed a net improvement in quality since 1980.