Written question asked by Donald Gorrie (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 25 November 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 2 December 1998. It was answered by Calum Macdonald (Labour) on Wednesday, 2 December 1998 on behalf of the Scottish Office.

Scottish Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of the impact of the current system of licensing private and industrial sewage discharges by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency on the Government's efforts to meet its pollution targets.

Answer: Mr. Gorrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the impact of the current system of licensing private and industrial sewage discharges by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency on the Government's efforts to meet its pollution targets. [61547] Mr. Macdonald: One of the targets which we set for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency was to improve the level of consent compliance for sewage and industrial discharges to 80 per cent. by 2001-02. A copy of the Agency's Annual Report 1997-98 has been placed in the Library of the Houses of Parliament. As mentioned in their report, the Agency achieved that level of compliance in 1997-98, four years ahead of target. The Agency are to be congratulated on this achievement. However, it is clear that a minority of SEPA's other targets were not met. This is certainly disappointing and we have asked the Agency how they intend to improve performance in these areas.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 321 c223-4W; 61547
Session: 1998-99
Subjects: Licensing Environment protection Pollution control Scotland Sewage Scottish Environment Protection Agency