§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussion he has had with the National Rivers Authority about the consequences of stopping minewater pumping in the Tyneside area.
§ Mr. MacLean[holding answer 19 January 1993]: My right hon. Friend and I have not discussed this specific matter with the National Rivers Authority. It is for British Coal and the NRA, in the first place, to assess any environmental consquences of stopping minewater pumping.