§ Mr. SteelTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to meet representatives of the wool textile industry to discuss common standards on effluent from moth-proofing.
§ Mr. HowardMy right hon. Friend has no immediate plans to meet representatives of this industry. However, my Department has discussed with representatives of the industry a report by the water research centre setting out possible environmental quality standards in water for certain substances commonly used as moth-proofing agents. We expect to announce the introduction of environmental quality standards for these substances in England and Wales in the near future. The introduction of such standards in Scotland is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.