§ Mr. Allan RobertsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment why there are no designated shellfish waters in the Morecambe bay area under the provisions of EC directive 79/923/EEC.
§ Mr. HowardWe do not consider it appropriate to include Morecambe bay within the scope of the directive.
492WDischarges to the Morecambe bay area are controlled under the Control of Pollution Act 1974, and the Public Health (Shellfish) Regulations 1934 provide adequate protection to the health of the public with regard to the consumption of shellfish.
§ Mr. Allan RobertsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how his Department has responded to the advice of the Royal Commission on environmental pollution, 10th report, 1984, that competent authorities should use the provisions of part II of the Control of Pollution Act to designate more shellfish waters in the interests of public health and the protection of commercial shellfisheries.
§ Mr. HowardThe provisions of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 have been used to extend control of all discharges to coastal waters. We have not considered it appropriate to designate more shellfish waters under the provisions of directive 79/923/EEC as the Public Health (Shellfish) Regulations 1934 provide adequate protection to the health of the public with regard to consumption of shellfish.