§ Mr. JackTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what policies his Department has implemented in the last five years to develop environmental protection measures.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonIn 1984–85 the Department brought into effect the main provisions of part II of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 relating to the control of water pollution; these were further strengthened by means of the Water Act 1989. These provisions are the framework for implementing EC legislation on the protection of the water environment (some 30 directives) and other international agreements, such as those arising from the ministerial conferences on the North sea.
Scottish water authorities, with the encouragement of the Department, have made considerable progress in improving the quality of public water supplies, particularly with regard to lead in drinking water: provisions in the Water Act 1989 will strengthen the existing Scottish legislation on the quality of public and private supplies.
The Government have increased funding to water and sewerage authorities to improve the water environment. In the last five years, some £500 million has been invested in water and sewerage services. The allocation for 1989–90 has been increased by 14 per cent. over planned provision.
The Department has supported research in Scotland as part of the Government's major research programme to determine the effects of acidification and in association with the Department of the Environment, has undertaken a major review of the control of air pollution in Great Britain, with a view to legislation.
The hazardous waste inspectorate, set up in 1983, has given advice and guidance to local authorities on safe and efficient systems of waste management; it has published three comprehensive reports and issues guidance on such matters as landfill gas.