§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the progress towards reducing toxic substances in the aquatic environment by 50 per cent. by 1995.
§ Mr. TrippierGood progress has been made in meeting the targets agreed at recent North sea conferences for reducing inputs to the sea of substances that are toxic, persistent and liable to bio-accumulate. Data collected as part of an international exercise organised by the Paris Commission show the following reductions of inputs to the United Kingdom's coastal waters between 1985 and 1990:
Estimates of percentage reductions of inputs of substances to the North sea between 1985 and 1990 Per cent. Mercury 51 Cadmium 61 Lindane 30 Copper 28 Zinc 0 Lead 89 I am confident that further substantial reductions will be achieved for these substances and other red list substances during the 1990s through controls on discharges by the National Rivers Authority, and through the application of integrated pollution control by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution.