asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will state, or undertake to ascertain, what amount of toxic waste material has been dumped in disused mines in the South-West, and the areas in which it has been so dumped.

I have no knowledge of any such dumping. If the hon. Member has reason to believe that there has been unauthorised dumping of toxic waste or that there is any risk to health, I would be grateful if he would inform the appropriate local authority. I should emphasise that responsibility for public health and the purity of rivers and water supplies rests primarily on the appropriate authorities in each area.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will state, or undertake to ascertain, what amount of toxic waste material has been dumped in disused mines in the Forest of Dean, and the areas in which it has been so dumped.

I have no knowledge of any such dumping. If the hon. Member has reason to believe that there has been unathorised dumping of toxic waste or that there is any risk to health, I would be grateful if he would inform the appropriate local authority. I should emphasise that responsibility for public health and the purity of rivers and water supplies rests primarily on the appropriate authorities in each area.