HC Deb 03 July 1991 vol 194 cc166-7W
Mr. Salmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from the river purification boards on the application of control orders under the conditions of the Spray Irrigation Act (Scotland) 1964; and if he will make a statement.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

The Scottish Environment Department has long been aware that the river purification boards consider the arrangements for control orders under the Spray Irrigation (Scotland) Act 1964 inadequate. In particular, the procedures to be followed to obtain an order are seen as too bureaucratic.

New provisions are, therefore, included in the Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1991 to simplify these procedures and to extend control to all abstractions for irrigation purposes.

Mr. Salmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any plans to bring forward amending legislation to give Scottish river purification boards the same powers as the National Rivers Authority in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

I have no plans to make further amendments to the powers of the seven Scottish river purification boards. Scotland has enjoyed independent protection for the water environment since the 1950s and the powers of the boards to prevent and control pollution have been progressively strengthened during this period.