Written question asked by Anne Campbell (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 20 February 1997. It was answered by James Clappison (Conservative) on Thursday, 20 February 1997 on behalf of the Department of the Environment.

Dept of the Environment

Question: If he will comment on the progress made by the United Kingdom in meeting the targets set to reduce pollution in the North Sea at the Second North Sea Conference held in London in 1987. - Inc ref to progress report to the fourth North sea conference in the Library.

Answer: Mrs. Anne Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the progress made by the United Kingdom in meeting the targets set to reduce pollution in the North sea at the second North sea conference held in London in 1987. [16101] Mr. Clappison: The second North sea conference in 1987 agreed to take measures to reduce urgently and drastically the total quantity of substances that are persistent, toxic and liable to bioaccumulate reaching the aquatic environment of the North sea via rivers and estuaries, with the aim of achieving a substantial reduction--of the order of 50 per cent.--in total inputs from these sources between 1985 and 1995. As shown in the progress report to the fourth North sea conference, placed in the Library, the UK has achieved reductions of this order for "red list" substances, with the exception of zinc, where diffuse sources such as corrugated iron, cosmetics and car tyres have proved to be more significant than thought in 1987.

Secondary information