Written question asked by Countess of Mar (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Rooker (Labour) on Tuesday, 11 December 2007.

Water Supply: Pollution

Question: asked Her Majesty's Government:On what date the Environment Agency Wales (EAW) became responsible for the prevention of pollution to groundwater, surface water and the environment in Wales; and from which organisations EAW inherited those responsibilities.

Answer: Under Solutia's reorganisation plan, Brofiscin Quarry and other unidentified UK sites that meet the ““Legacy Site”” definition will receive the same environmental remediation coverage from Monsanto as will be given to a large number of US sites also scheduled as ““Legacy Sites””. The legal advice given to the Environment Agency by its US counsel was that, given the prospective nature of the Environment Agency's potential claims regarding Brofiscin Quarry and other UK sites, ““joining the action”” against Solutia in the US Bankruptcy Court would not have materially altered the settlement the Environment Agency was able to obtain. Solutia's reorganisation plan did make provision for the settlement of many claims for personal tort arising from environmental damage. Such personal torts are outside the remit of the Environment Agency.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 753; 697 c49WA
Session: 2007-08
Related items: Water Supply: Pollution
Monday, 17 December 2007
Written questions
House of Lords
Notes: Question printed in Daily Part with incorrect answer. Correct answer printed on 17 December 2007 at 697 c110WA.
Subjects: Accountability Pollution control Water Wales Environment Agency Wales Brofiscin Quarry
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk