HC Deb 25 June 1993 vol 227 cc329-30W
Mr. Callaghan

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress the National Rivers Authority is making(a) nationally and (b) in the north west in regulating the use of rivers and controlling pollution.

Mr. Yeo

The NRA's 1990 river quality survey reported around 90 per cent. of waterways as of "good" or "fair" quality. The next survey, expected in 1995, should reflect the benefits from the NRA's tighter pollution controls and increased enforcement activity throughout England and Wales, the reduction in numbers of major water pollution incidents, and the accelerated investment by the water industry on sewerage and sewage treatment.

Mr. Callaghan

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of pollution entering the North sea comes from rivers; and what proportion comes from British rivers.

Mr. Yeo

Since different countries use different methods of estimating inputs of contaminants, the available statistics do not permit reliable international comparisons. The available date is set out in the periodical "Monitoring and Assessement" reports of the Oslo and Paris Commissions.

Mr. Soames

The number of new cattle herd breakdowns due to tuberculosis, confirmed in each of the quarters in question was: