§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he has taken to protect the water environment from pollution by dangerous substances; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. TrippierControls on discharges of dangerous substances to the water environment are exercised by the National Rivers Authority under the Water Act 1989 and500W by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Discharges must enable receiving waters to meet relevant environmental quality standards—EQSs. EQSs have already been set for 10 red list substances: proposals for EQSs for the remaining red list substances are set out in a consultation paper to be issued shortly, and copies of which I have placed in the Library today.