Combined Sewer Overflows

Emma Lewell-Buck Excerpts
Wednesday 13th September 2023

(8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Thérèse Coffey Portrait Dr Coffey
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Unlimited penalties are available to the Environment Agency and there is already a criminal investigation under way. I know my hon. Friend has secured a Westminster Hall debate next week to discuss it in further detail, and my hon. Friend the water Minister will reply substantially to the many detailed points that I am sure he will raise.

Emma Lewell-Buck Portrait Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck (South Shields) (Lab)
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It was my constituent Mr Latimer who was responsible for the law change stating that sewage should only be discharged during exceptional circumstances. He knows, as we all know, that it is this Government who are actively enabling the water companies and regulators to get away with dumping sewage into our rivers and our oceans. Why will the Secretary of State not admit that under this Government, sewage dumping is no longer the exception but the rule?

Thérèse Coffey Portrait Dr Coffey
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Because the hon. Lady’s assertion is simply not true.