§ Mr. WallerTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he intends to issue a consultation paper on the implementation of the urban waste water treatment directive and nitrates directive.
§ Mr. NeedhamWe have today issued a consultation paper outlining the Government's proposals for Northern 545W Ireland for criteria and procedures for identifying sensitive areas and less sensitive areas—urban waste water treatment directives—and "polluted waters"—nitrates directive. As far as I am aware, the United Kingdom is the first member state to consult publicly on the way it is intended to implement these directives. This, I believe, demonstrates the Government's commitment to openness in environmental decision making and to the proper implementation of these directives which will make an important contribution to improving our environment.