HC Deb 19 May 1989 vol 153 c325W
Mr. Speller

To ask the Prime Minister if she will seek to reduce the pollution of the Bristol channel by co-ordinating those departments which authorise or control dumping of sewerage, chemical, agricultural, nuclear and industrial waste into the Bristol channel, together with control of dumping ships' refuse or the pumping out of tanks by ships in passage.

The Prime Minister

Departments with responsibilities in this field already co-ordinate their activities, and at national level policies to protect the marine environment are coordinated by the Department of the Environment. The Bristol channel, and all other United Kingdom coastal waters will benefit from the range of new initiatives adopted at the second North sea conference hosted by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment in November 1987. These are set out in the guidance note on the ministerial declaration published in February 1988, a copy of which is in the Library.