To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when Rhondda Cynon Taff Council were first advised by the Environment Agency to expect receipt of a list of appropriate persons in respect of the pollution in and around Brofiscin Quarry; when the Agency expects to provide the list; what the reasons are for the time taken; and if he will make a statement. (197423)

I am informed by the Environment Agency Wales that on the 7 March 2008 the Environment Agency apprised Rhondda Cynon Taff county borough council of the status of its investigation into potential ‘Appropriate Persons’. The Environment Agency did not advise the local authority when it would receive a list of the ‘Appropriate Persons’. The Environment Agency is still investigating who should be responsible for the cost of remediation in accordance with the provisions of Part 2A Environmental Protection Act 1990 and Statutory Guidance.