HC Deb 30 June 1989 vol 155 cc586-7W
Mr. Pike

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps his Department intends to take to assess the possible effects of the proposed long sea outfall from Rossall point to the Lune Deep on shell fish in Morecombe bay and adjacent coastal areas.

Mr. Donald Thompson

My Department has already assessed the design dilution and dispersion characteristics of the proposed outfall. We will maintain our routine monitoring of the contaminent levels in fish and shell fish in the eastern Irish Sea. In addition, information will be obtained as appropriate on the quality of shell fish in Morecombe bay from work undertaken by other relevant organisations.

Mr. Pike

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (I) what information his Department holds on the chemical quality of shell fish harvested in Morecombe bay and adjoining coastlines with particular reference to compounds identified as black, grey or red list; and if he will make a statement;

(2) what information is held by his Department on the bacteriological quality of shell fish harvested in Morecombe bay and adjoining coastlines; and if he will make a statement;

(3) what information is held by his Department on the virological quality of shell fish harvested in Morecombe bay and adjoining coastlines; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Donald Thompson

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave on 20 February to the hon. Member for Bootle (Mr. Roberts) at column534.