§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for. the Environment what were the numbers of prosecutions and convictions arising from water pollution offences in each English water authority during 1984–85, 1985–86, 1986–87 and 1987–88; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MoynihanNo prosecutions have so far been taken out against water authorities by the Department. The number of prosecutions for water pollution offences taken by each English water authority during 1984–85 and 1985–86 were:
1984–851 1985–861 Anglian 17 14 Northumbrian 2 1 North West 70 26 Severn Trent 23 33 Southern 15 6 South West 12 34 Thames 5 12 Wessex 29 38 Yorkshire 33 40 Totals 206 204 1 Some data is for calendar year. Details for 1987 are not yet available but will be published later in the year.
Information about convictions following prosecutions is collected by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department but is not collected in a comparable form. I understand, however, that in general over 90 per cent. of these cases result in convictions.
Decisions on whether or not to prosecute rest with water authorities and will depend upon factors such as the severity of the pollution and whether the source can be clearly identified.