To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment by what date Wessex Water will cease the dumping of sewage sludge into the Bristol channel; and what quantity was disposed of by this method in the latest two years for which figures are available.

I have been asked to reply.The sea disposal of sewage sludge is to be terminated as soon as possible, and by 31 December 1998 at the latest. Wessex Water is preparing plans to cease sea disposal by the end of 1993. The amount of sewage sludge deposited by Wessex Water in the last two years for which figures are available is as follows: