§ Mr. DafisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to set a target date for the phasing out of the consent system established to allow companies to discharge toxic substances into rivers and river estuaries in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. MacleanNo. Water is a legitimate disposal route for certain types of waste and the system of consents and authorisations under the Water Resources Act 1991 and the Environmental Protection Act 1990 provides a comprehensive means for controlling substances discharged to the aquatic environment and for securing improvements in water quality.