§ 59. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Minister of Agriculture whether the threatened pollution of the river Wye by a beet-sugar factory, or factories, has been brought to his notice; what action he is taking to prevent it; and whether this threatened pollution will be prevented?
§ Mr. GUINNESSI am aware that proposals for the erection of a beet sugar factory in the watershed of the river Wye have been under consideration. I have no authority to prevent the erection or to control the working of a beet sugar or any other factory. I cannot provide the answer to the last part of the question, as it does not depend upon me.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that he has certain powers when the pollution actually begins, and can he not make the builders of this proposed factory take notice of those powers?
§ Mr. GUINNESSThe Ministry have no power of prosecution in the case of pollution. The powers are with the local health authority under the Rivers Pollution Prevention Act of, I think, 1876, and with the Fishery Board under the Salmon and Fresh Water Fisheries Act, 1923. Though we have relations with the Fishery Board, we have no power to bring a prosecution.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODCould not the right hon. Gentleman drop the subsidy and so stop this pollution of the rivers?
§ Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEIs is not the case that this proposed factory has been abandoned?
§ Mr. GUINNESSYes, that is so. I believe there are discussions in progress about another site in the same area.