§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what damage to the environment has been caused by the recent leak from the Du Pont synthetics factory into Lough Foyle; what will be the cost of the clean-up; how far the company will be charged for the cost of cleaning up the pollution; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AtkinsScientists in the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland consider that the leak has not resulted in any significant damage to water quality or aquatic life in Lough Foyle. Samples of water and of shellfish taken after the spillage showed a slight increase in normal background levels but within a few days the levels had fallen and results were only slightly above or at the levels of detection.
No subsequent clean-up operations were necessary.