§ Mr. SteinbergTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how often the River Wear is tested for pollution; when it was last tested; what were the results; and what precautions are being taken against pollution in the event of mine closures in County Durham.
§ Mr. MacleanThe National Rivers Authority carries out regular monitoring of river quality; details of sampling points, dates of sampling and results obtained are held on public registers in the NRA's regional offices. It is for British Coal and the NRA, in the first place, to assess the environmental effects of pit closures and to consider what action may need to be taken to avoid pollution.