§ 3. General CROFTasked the President of the Board of Trade what steps, if any, have been taken to treat the sewage of the great cities with a view to providing fertilisers?
§ The PRESIDENT of the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Hayes Fisher)I have been asked to answer this question. The principal steps taken in this direction have been in the nature of research work. My hon. and gallant Friend will realise that there are 7 great practical difficulties in the way, such as the procuring of necessary labour and plant for the drying and handling of the sewage sludge, and the fact that transport is a very serious matter. It must also be remembered that the manurial value of sewage sludge is not, in fact, very great. Upon this point I may refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the Fifth Report of the Royal Commission on Sewage Disposal.
§ General CROFTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this question has passed beyond the realms of research, and has already been proved by the Manchester, St. Albans, and other corporations? Is the right hon. Gentleman's Department keeping in mind the fact that with the large amount of extra land to be fertilised this is going to be a colossal problem?
§ Mr. FISHERI am aware that in certain cases a degree of success attaches to the use of sewage in this way, but I am also aware in many cases of the difficulties, particularly of labour and cartage, at the present moment.