Major BARINGasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the wholesale destruction of fish in the neighbourhood of Rickmansworth, attributed to the pollution of the water by tar from the roads; whether he is aware that numerous similar instances have been reported from other parts of the country; and whether any investigation was being made by his Department?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I am aware that similar cases of sudden mortality among river fish have occurred which have been attributed to the pollution of the water by tar washed off the roads, but I understand that some doubt still exists as to whether such pollution was the real cause of the death of the fish. The Board are inquiring into the particular case to which the hon. Member refers, and are seeking information generally on the subject.