Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on what basis tests are carried out to establish the level of pollution in the Irish sea; whether he seeks the opinion of independent monitoring organisations; and if he will make a statement on pollution in the Irish sea.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyMonitoring and research in the Irish sea is carried out by a wide range of organisations including United Kingdom Government Departments with responsibility for fisheries and the environment, by 945W water authorities and by research agencies including the National Environmental Research Council. The independent Irish sea study group offers an opportunity to interested parties including universities, industry, Government Departments and conservation groups to meet to discuss these issues. The group, whose work the Department welcomes, hopes to produce a report on the Irish sea shortly. Aspects of pollution in the Irish sea were considered in a recent report on the Irish sea, by the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas, which we are considering. We are in contact with the Irish Government about how best to take these matters forward.