Written question asked by Joan Walley (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 18 March 1997. It was answered by James Clappison (Conservative) on Tuesday, 18 March 1997 on behalf of the Department of the Environment.

Dept of the Environment

Question: How many samples of discharge have been taken by the Environment Agency since 1st April 1996 in Stoke on Trent North; of these, how many showed a breach of discharge consent under the Water Resources Act 1991; and in each case what was the nature of the breach.

Answer: Ms Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many samples of discharge have been taken by the Environment Agency since 1 April 1996 in Stoke-on-Trent, North; of these, how many showed a breach of discharge consent under the Water Resources Act 1991; and in each case what was the nature of the breach. [20167] Mr. Clappison: Statistics relating to the area of Stoke on Trent, North are not available. However, for the two relevant pollution control districts of the Environment Agency, since 1 April 1996, 567 sampling visits have been undertaken during which 364 samples were obtained. Of these, 19 indicated a breach of the conditions of a discharge consent. I understand that the Environment Agency has already provided the hon. Member with details of these cases and the results of subsequent investigations.

Secondary information