Written question asked by Helen Clark (Labour) on Monday, 8 December 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 17 December 2003. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Wednesday, 17 December 2003 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what mechanism there is to pass on to the polluter the cost of work to establish the (a) extent of pollution and (b) effect on biodiversity of the recent pollution incident on the River Nene.

Answer: Mrs. Helen Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what mechanism there is to pass on to the polluter the cost of work to establish the (a) extent of pollution and (b) effect on biodiversity of the recent pollution incident on the River Nene. [143262] Mr. Morley: The Environment Agency vigorously follows the polluter pays principle. However, in this case the polluter has not yet been identified. It has not therefore been possible to initiate action to recover costs.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 415 c906-7W; 143262
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Costs Pollution Polluter pays principle Rivers Pollutants River Nene
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk