§ Mr. EvennettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to determine the applications for time-limited consents in respect of certain sewage treatment works submitted to him in response to his announcement on 7 December 1988 of an accelerated investment programme designed to improve effluent quality.
§ Mr. HowardMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has today issued the first directions to the National Rivers Authority to grant time-limited consents in respect of a number of applications for sewage treatment works. Further directions, including where relevant refusals of applications, will be issued as the individual applications are considered. All those who submitted representations on individual applications will be notified of my right hon. Friend's decision together with the reasons for it in due course. It will be for the National Rivers Authority to place these consents on the public register in the usual way.