§ Mr. HUNTasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he received information last February as to the fact that the sewage from Penryn, Flushing, and Falmouth is drained into Falmouth Harbour, in which oysters are largely cultivated, and also that Falmouth Bay is polluted by the drainage from the Falmouth Hotel and the coastguards' barracks; and whether he has taken any action in the matter?
§ The PRESIDENT of the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Burns)I am aware generally of the facts mentioned in the question. It is not an offence under the existing law to discharge sewage into tidal waters; but I have under consideration a Bill which would deal, amongst other matters, with the protection from pollution of shell-fish which are used for human food.
§ Mr. BURNSYes. We do represent to the local authority that wherever it is possible to avoid any pollution of oyster-beds they should use every means within their power to do so.