§ 49. Mr. HeddleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action was taken to implement part II of the Control of Pollution Act 1974(a) between its enactment and May 1979 and (b) since May 1979.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe main provisions of part II of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 were implemented between July 1984 and October 1986. These provided for more effective protection of inland surface and underground waters, the extension of controls to cover all coastal and estuarial waters and public involvement, for the first time, in the water pollution control system.
These provisions are to be re-enacted, and where appropriate, strengthened, in the Water Bill.
Prior to May 1979, only five relatively minor sections of part II were brought into force.