§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the number of water pollution incidents in Wales for each year since 1979 and the sources of that pollution; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GristThe annual reports of the Welsh water authority, copies of which are in the Library, contain some references to the number of pollution incidents affecting water in the Welsh water authority's area.
The detailed information is not held centrally, so I have asked the chairman of the Welsh water authority to write to the hon. Gentleman.
§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the numbers of lakes in Wales without fish due to pollution or acid rain; what steps he is taking to improve the situation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GristThere is no definite evidence to show that any lake in Wales has become fishless because of the effect of acid rain. However, it is generally accepted that acidic deposition can bring about the acidification of lakes in areas with sensitive strata. The Welsh Office, with the Department of the Environment, funds an extensive programme of research with the aim of assessing the relative contribution which air pollution, afforestation, land type, land use and practice makes to the acidification of Welsh lakes and the effect that acidification has on fish populations.