§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidance he has given to regional councils concerning the proposed abolition of the dumping at sea of sewage sludge under EC rules.
§ Sir Hector Monro[holding answer 20 July 1993]: Regional councils were advised in March 1990 of the Government's decision to terminate the sea disposal of sewage sludge by the end of 1998. At the same time Lothian and Strathclyde regional councils were also advised of changes in the arrangements relating to their annual applications for licences under the provisions of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 which would prevail in the period to 1998.
255WSince then my officials have been in routine contact with the regional councils as they have developed their sludge strategies for post-1998.