Written question asked by Chris Ruane (Labour) on Tuesday, 21 July 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 24 July 1998. It was answered by Angela Eagle (Labour) on Friday, 24 July 1998 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, what assessment he has made of the effect of polychlorinated biphenyls on the marine environment in the Irish Sea.

Answer: Mr. Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the effect of polychlorinated biphenyls on the marine environment in the Irish Sea. [52193] Angela Eagle: The relevant Government departments and Agencies in the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland, and in the Republic of Ireland are jointly taking the lead in the production of a Regional Quality Status Report on the Celtic Seas, including the Irish Sea. Organic contaminants, including polychlorinated biphenyls, form part of this assessment. The final report, which is one of five regional reports on which the Quality Status Report of the North East Atlantic, which is being prepared by the Ospar Commission, will be based is due for publication by the year 2000.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 52193; 316 c708W
Session: 1997-98
Subjects: Pollution Monitoring Seas and oceans Polychlorinated biphenyls Irish Sea