HC Deb 06 July 1992 vol 211 c75W
Mrs. Ann Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for the National Rivers Authority to replace the present pollution consent system with measures to eliminate toxic substances so as to return rivers and estuaries to an unpolluted state.

Mr. Maclean

None. Discharge consents and integrated pollution control authorisations, set so as to meet statutory water quality objectives, and in particular those relating to the EC dangerous substances directives, already provide precautionary controls on toxic substances as well as a means of meeting environmental goals and obligations.