To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will ask the Environment Agency to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death by asphyxiation of 5,000 fish at Cuckoo Hollow, Werrington, Peterborough on 15 June 2006; whether the Agency has in place a plan to prevent similar occurrences during future periods of hot weather; and if he will make a statement. (82453)

[holding answer 5 July 2006]: The Environment Agency has been fully involved in investigating the incident at Cuckoo Hollow. Agency staff found that dissolved oxygen levels in the lake were very low, largely because of high temperatures over the previous weekend. Action was taken by Agency staff to replenish oxygen levels in the lake, and to ensure that there were no signs of any chemical pollution.

The Environment Agency is continuing to work with Peterborough city council, the owner of the lake, to ensure actions are taken to minimise any possibility of a reoccurrence in the future.