Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Rivers and Streams: Biodiversity

Wednesday 1 May 2024 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Barry Sheerman asked the minister about discussions with the Scottish Government regarding biodiversity in Scotland's rivers and streams.
  • The minister stated that water quality policy and biodiversity in Scotland's rivers and streams are devolved to the Scottish Government.
  • Barry Sheerman questioned if Scotland's purer waters are due to rejecting water privatisation, noting high instances of untreated sewage release and lack of monitoring.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Barry Sheerman Lab
Scotland Environment
Context

The discussion revolves around the responsibility for biodiversity in Scottish water bodies, which falls under devolved governance.

Question

What discussions has he had with the Scottish Government on the biodiversity of Scotland's rivers and streams?

Answer from John Lamont

Water quality policy is devolved in Scotland. The Scottish Government are responsible for biodiversity in rivers and streams in Scotland, not the United Kingdom Government. It is for the Scottish Government to take action in this vital area.

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Q2 Barry Sheerman Lab
Scotland Environment
Context

The context is the perceived superior quality of Scottish waters due to the rejection of water privatisation, as opposed to areas under English and Welsh governance.

Question

Is it not true that Scottish waters are purer because Scotland rejected water privatisation? He notes a recent report indicating untreated sewage has been released into Scottish waters 58,000 times over five years. Only 4% of sewage overflows in Scotland are monitored compared to nearly 100% in England and Wales.

Answer from John Lamont

The hon. Member is absolutely wrong. According to a recent report, untreated sewage has been released into Scottish waters and seas more than 58,000 times over the past five years, but only 4% of sewage overflows in Scotland are required to be monitored, unlike in England and Wales, where nearly 100% are monitored, thanks to the efforts of this Government. Unlike this Government, the Scottish Government and Scottish Water are failing to take tough action to monitor sewage overflows and protect our very important waterways.

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