HC Deb 13 March 1990 vol 169 cc186-7W
Mr. Tony Lloyd

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on licences allowing dumping of sewage on the Fylde coast.

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

The applications made by the North West water authority for the Secretary of State's consent to discharge sewage to the Fylde coast have not yet been determined. It would therefore not be proper for me to comment upon them.

Mr. Tony Lloyd

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what powers he has to control the dumping of sewage at sea, where such dumping falls under his Department's responsibility.

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

The regulation of the dumping of sewage at sea is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, using his powers under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985.

The Secretary of State's powers under the Water Act 1989 relate principally to discharges from land-based sources.