Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

What steps he is taking to improve cooperation between government agencies tackling pollution of rivers and streams.

I recently met local hon. Members, Southern Water and the local agencies cooperating on pollution issues in West Sussex and the Solent.

River Basin Management Plans ensure the coordination of action on pollution and the wider management of the water environment, and all relevant Government agencies provide input to their development.

We supplement these with the Catchment Based Approach which brings together, locally, public bodies, business and third sector organisations. We also support initiatives to deliver a coordinated approach to specific issues such as the Storm Overflows Taskforce and the Chalk Rivers Action Group.