§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many pollution control officers with responsibility for water pollution under COPA are currently employed; and how many posts are vacant.
§ Mr. HowardThe information is not available in the form requested. At present, the 10 regional water authorities in England and Wales are responsible for the control of pollution from industrial, agricultural and domestic sources. When these functions transfer to the88W National Rivers Authority, approximately 450 staff working directly on these functions will transfer to the NRA, along with some 210 support staff. This excludes laboratory staff and others who also deal with other functions, and also excludes staff who will continue to work on pollution control and related functions for the PLCs.
Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution employs 11 inspectors on water pollution control activities mainly in connection with consents issued on behalf of the Secretary of State for water authorities' own discharges. There are no vacancies.