§ 38. Mr. Allan Robertsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total estimated cost of cleaning up rivers in the United Kingdom so as to meet European Community standards.
§ Mr. WaldegraveIt is not possible to separate the costs of cleaning up rivers to meet the standards in EC directives relating to freshwater, that is, those concerned with the quality of water to support freshwater fish and with the discharge of dangerous substances, from general investment in pollution control. Most investment in cleaning up rivers is undertaken to meet national objectives such as the elimination of class 4 rivers.