§ Dr. Kim HowellsTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if measures are to be taken to prevent the further despoilation of the remaining areas of hillside, woodlands and crags which lie between heavily urbanised valleys of the southern Welsh coalfield.
§ Mr. GristSufficient powers are available to local planning authorities to control development in the open countryside.
§ Dr. Kim HowellsTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what funds are to be made available to local authorities, Welsh Water plc and the Welsh division of the National Rivers Authority to clean up the material pollution and debris in and alongside the rivers of the southern Welsh coalfield.
§ Mr. GristIt is for the National Rivers Authority (NRA) and the local authorities concerned to determine their own expenditure priorities. The NRA has stated as its central aim the achievement of a significant and sustainable improvement of the water quality of the rivers, estuaries and coastal waters of England and Wales and it has been allocated substantial funds for this work. Provision has also been made for local government's environmental protection responsibilities in the 1990–91 local authority revenue settlement and this has been reflected in standard spending assessments for revenue support grant purposes.
132WWith regard to Welsh Water, sewage-related material is only part of the litter problem, but Welsh Water is committed to an investment programme on an unprecedented scale which includes improvements to a large number of its sewage treatment works. This will make a major contribution to improving the quality of our rivers including those in the south Wales coalfield.
The NRA has conducted a survey of litter in and on the banks of the River Taff. In its conclusions the report said that because of the diversity of the litter tackling the problem requires the collaboration of all the responsible bodies including the local authorities and voluntary organisations. Disscussions are proceeding with the intention of taking forward the initiative.