§ Mr. DayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps the Government are taking to control the emissions of dangerous substances into rivers and the sea.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryDischarges of dangerous substances to rivers and seas are already effectively controlled by the National Rivers Authority through discharge consents based on its duty to maintain statutory quality objectives and other published environmental quality standards.
The Environmental Protection Bill extends the controls on discharges of dangerous substances from the most polluting industries. Under the new arrangements Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution will authorise discharges to all environmental media, based on the use of best available technology not entailing excessive costs, providing that these also meet the requirements of the National Rivers Authority on environmental quality objectives.