Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

What recent assessment he has made of the effect of sewage discharges on water quality in rivers.

Last year, the Environment Agency (EA) reported that there had been good progress in meeting water quality targets. Since 1995, investment in sewage treatment has achieved a 61% reduction in the amount of phosphorus and a 72% reduction in the amount of ammonia discharged to rivers. We will continue to work with the water companies.