§ 13 and 14. Mr. WINGasked the President of the Board of Agriculture (1) if he is aware of the feeling in the county of Durham at the continued pollution of the river Wear and the consequent destruction of fish, and that indignation is expressed in a petition already possessing 2,000 names, including all classes, asking for immediate action with a view to the purification of what is now known as the fishless Wear; if so, what measures are proposed to that end; and (2) if he is aware of the polluted condition of the river Wear, and that the effects of such pollution are such as to have destroyed in the course of the last five years what was at that time a well stocked river, having large quantities of trout, eels, and coarse fish; and, if so, what measures are proposed to remedy such destruction?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Sir Richard Winfrey)The Board have not received the petition referred to, but they are well aware of the extremely unsatisfactory condition of the river Wear. The information at the disposal of the Board indicates a decrease in the number of fish caught of late years, excluding the War period, and in the number" of licences issued. The Board, however, do not possess powers to deal with pollution, and present circumstances preclude the possibility of the necessary legislation.
§ Mr. WINGIs there not a Committee for specially dealing with these rivers, and have they no power to deal with a river in such a condition and in the interests of the fish supply? Will the Department take any steps?
§ Sir R. WINFREYWe realise the difficulty with regard to pollution, but the Committee is only dealing with those cases where there is no pollution and where we hope to get a larger supply?