Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 2:19 pm on 11 June 2024.
Mike Hedges
Labour
2:19,
11 June 2024
Thank you for that answer. River pollution is a problem across Wales, with the Wye and Usk having serious problems with pollution. With the River Tawe, we have raw sewage discharge, agricultural pollution and microplastics. Agriculture is a leading cause of water problems globally. Fertilisers, pesticides and animal waste from farms and livestock operations can easily wash into rivers during rainfall, contaminating the rivers. Excess nitrogen and phosphorus in water is a significant threat to water quality. These nutrients can lead to algal blooms including toxic blue-green algae, which can harm both people and wildlife. I'm requesting the Government commissions an independent review of river pollution, starting with the Tawe, Usk and Wye.
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
