Written question asked by Geraldine Smith (Labour) on Tuesday, 11 March 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 13 March 2008. It was answered by Phil Woolas (Labour) on Thursday, 3 April 2008 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Sewage: Morecambe Bay

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the likely impact of the application (ref 017280252) from United Utilities to vary discharge consent from Fleetwood water treatment works if accepted on the quality of bathing water standards in Morecambe Bay.

Answer: The application for variation of the discharge consent for the Fleetwood Waste Water Treatment Works is being considered by the Environment Agency and further information is required from United Utilities. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has received a request to call in the application for his own determination. Paragraph 5 of schedule 10 to the Water Resources Act 1991 requires my right hon. Friend to consider whether or not to call it in, and he will do so once he is satisfied that he has sufficient information. This will include any potential impact on bathing water standards in Morecambe Bay. My right hon. Friend is currently waiting for the Environment Agency and United Utilities to complete their assessments before proceeding with this case.

Secondary information