HC Deb 07 July 1998 vol 315 c475W
Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he had in Spain concerning the Donana pollution incident; and if he will make a statement. [48646]

Angela Eagle

The Deputy Prime Minister visited the Donana National Park on 5 June, accompanied by Juan Luis Muriel, Spanish junior environment minister, to view the damage caused by the spill of toxic mining waste. At the EU Environment Council later that month the Deputy Prime Minister proposed that there should be a review of current provisions for responding to such disasters and, if these proved unsatisfactory, that there should be a conference to discuss possible alternatives. The Commission responded positively to this proposal and will report on their findings in the Autumn.