Written question asked by Tam Dalyell (Labour) on Thursday, 7 January 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 21 January 1999. It was answered by Alan Meale (Labour) on Thursday, 21 January 1999 on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to letters of 15th December 1997 (EE/P50/17203/97) and of 9th June (EE/P50/9738/98) to the honourable Member for Linlithgow, what action has been taken as a result of the Environment Agency's Report on its research using earthworms as indicator organisms of contaminated land. - Including fact a final report is expected in March 1999.

Answer: Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to letters of 15 December 1997 (EE/P50/17203/97) and of 9 June (EE/P50/9738/98) to the hon. Member for Linlithgow, what action has been taken as a result of the Environment Agency's report on its research using earthworms as indicator organisms of contaminated land. [65403] Mr. Meale: Results from the study highlighted the need for further chemical analysis of the soils and earthworms to enable the biological and chemical data to be fully understood. The analytical work was completed in mid-December and is currently being evaluated and interpreted. A final report is expected in March 1999.

Secondary information