§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of environmental contamination of fishing grounds in the Irish sea arising from the leakage of toxic materials from wastes and surplus explosives dumped into the sea off the British coast. [13348]
§ Mr. BaldryThe Department carries out a routine monitoring programme to assess the level of contaminants in coastal waters, including those which are part of the Irish sea. The results are published annually and show that fish are safe to eat. In addition, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has carried out an investigation of the former Beaufort's dyke munitions dumping area. An interim report of the survey's findings was published on 8 January. Copies of the report are in the Library.