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33.
Mr. Ian Bruce
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has on the importance of river pollution as a contributor to North sea pollution; and what is Britain's contribution to the problem.
Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
Rivers and estuaries are the most important source of contaminants in the North sea and, together with direct coastal discharges, represent about 40 per cent. of total North sea pollution.A recent study by the International Centre for Water Studies in Amsterdam indicates that the Rhine and Elbe are the most significant of these, together contributing about 65 per cent. of river-borne contaminants. The United Kingdom accounts for about 20 per cent. of the river-borne total.