HC Deb 18 May 1988 vol 133 cc491-2W
Mr. Speller

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many outlets of raw sewage are at present being deposited in the Bristol channel; how often they are monitored; by whom they are monitored; and when any of these outfalls will be extinguished.

Mr. Moynihan

[holding answer 16 May 1988]: Such information is not held centrally. Water authorities are generally responsible for monitoring and the public registers which they are required to maintain contain details of authorised discharges including details of monitoring results. Increasingly, sewage receives treatment before being discharged to estuaries and coastal waters. A major national programme of schemes for improving bathing waters is under way to replace existing unsatisfactory short outfalls.

Mr. Speller

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment in how many places in the Bristol channel the dumping of raw sewage, sewage sludge, industrial waste, industrial spoil, nuclear waste of other abnormal deposits has been authorised by his Department, directly or in liaison with other Departments.

Mr. Moynihan

[holding answer 16 May 1988]: No dumping at sea of solid nuclear waste takes place. The Department keeps no records of the locations where any of the other wastes referred to might be dumped in the Bristol channel. Authorisations for the deposit of wastes at sea are given by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food under part II of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985. I have replied separately on the discharge of liquids to the Bristol channel.

Mr. Speller

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what quantities of low level or other nuclear waste are being discharged into the Bristol channel; what is the specification of low level waste; what were the last two dates on which these discharges were monitored; and what were the results.

Mr. Moynihan

[holding answer 16 May 1988]: Details of radioactive liquid discharges from nuclear sites are set out in the annual report of the Paris Commission. The latest (November 1987) edition of the report has been placed in the Library of the House. The limits for low-level radioactive waste discharges to the Bristol channel are specified in certificates of authorisation issued under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960. All liquid radioactive wastes are monitored prior to discharge. The results are summarised in the annual report of the Paris Commission.