HC Deb 25 July 1989 vol 157 cc685-6W
Mr. Bellingham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on what date members of the public were given the right to prosecute polluters.

Mr. Howard

Members of the public were given the right to prosecute polluters of rivers by sections 31 and 32 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974, which were brought into force by the present Government on 31 January 1985. This right is contained in the Water Act 1989.