§ Mr. JackTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the record of the National Rivers Authority since it was established.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-Amory[holding answer 15 January 1990]: The NRA fully assumed its responsibilities on 1 September 1989. Since then regional rivers advisory committees, regional fisheries advisory committees and regional flood defence committees have been established in the 10 NRA regions together with regional advisory boards chaired by the regional board members. Priorities for future action are currently being set by the authority and will be set out in its corporate plan. The authority has already embarked on a number of reviews of policy areas. In addition, the authority has successfully prosecuted a number of offenders under its pollution control powers against offenders.