asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Secretary of State for Wales, Paul Murphy, on 20 March (Official Report, Commons, 1298W), how Brabners Chaffe Street LLP was in possession of evidentiary documents sent by Mr Douglas Gowan to the Environment Agency copies of which were returned to him on 13 December 2007. [HL2858]

I am informed by the Environment Agency that it had previously instructed Brabners Chaffe Street LLP, a firm of external solicitors, to act on its behalf in respect of matters of defamation and reputation.

In connection with correspondence on those issues, the Environment Agency's legal department sent documentation to Brabners Chaffe Street LLP for return to Mr Douglas Gowan.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Secretary of State for Wales, Paul Murphy, on 20 March (Official Report, Commons, 1298W), whether proofs of admission of shared liability by Monsanto and Purle Brothers for the contamination of Brofiscin Quarry are (a) in the data protection turnovers recently made to Mr Gowan by the Environment Agency; and (b) held by the Rhondda Cynon Taff council. [HL2859]

I am informed by the Environment Agency Wales that in the context of its investigations pursuant to Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the Environment Agency is unaware of any admissions of shared liability at Brofiscin Quarry.

(a) The Environment Agency has fully complied with all the subject access requests for information made by Mr Gowan pursuant to the Data Protection Act 1998. Mr Gowan has received all of the personal data to which he is entitled under the Act.

(b) I am informed by Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council that it is the responsibility of the Environment Agency Wales to deal with liability matters concerning Brofiscin Quarry. Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council is not the enforcing authority for proving liability issues at Brofiscin Quarry.