§ Mr. John EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much his Department intends to spend on measures to combat water pollution in the north-west area between now and the proposed privatisation of the water industry.
§ Mr. MoynihanWater pollution is usually the result of industrial or agricultural activities or unsatisfactory discharges of sewage effluent. The North West water414W authority is responsible for sewage effluent discharges within its area and is engaged in major programmes to replace inadequate and outdated sewerage systems and to upgrade its sewage treatment works. The costs of these programmes are still being drawn up. Expenditure on measures to reduce the impact of industrial and agricultural discharges will be borne by the dischargers in line with the polluter pays principle.