HC Deb 13 March 1989 vol 149 cc88-9W
Mr. Robert Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list his Department's priorities for protecting the environment.

Mr. Ridley

We will be following up this month's highly successful conference by continuing to take a lead internationally on the protection of the ozone layer. We will continue investing in research into the greenhouse effect. We will take forward our plans for establishing an integrated system of control over industrial pollution and reforming waste disposal legislation. We will further the implementation of the package of measures to protect the United Kingdom's marine environment agreed at the second North sea conference. We will continue to take steps to clean up power station and vehicle emissions and to promote the use of lead-free petrol. We will continue to support a high level of investment in sewage treatment and disposal in order to improve the quality of our rivers and beaches.