§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures his Department is taking to limit the disposal of sewage sludge at sea and to develop technologically and environmentally acceptable alternatives.
§ Mr. MoynihanControl of the disposal of sewage sludge to sea is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. However, my Department is discussing urgently with the water authorities the steps to be taken to achieve significant reductions in the concentrations of "red list" substances in sludge. In addition, Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution has in preparation a manual of guidance to sludge disposers on how to assess the environmental and economic consequences of the various options available for sludge disposal so that the method having least overall environmental effect in each case can be properly selected.