§ 60. Mr. EVERARDasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the River Penk was seriously polluted by the Wolverhampton sewage works between 1st and 5th May; that a prosecution was prevented by the certificate given under The Wolverhapmton Corporation Act, 1891, by his department on 24th April; and whether, in view of the danger to human health and damage to the interests of fishermen, he will cancel the certificate at an early date.
§ 63. Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEasked the Minister of Health what action he proposes to take against the Wolverhampton corporation in view of their action in discharging crude sewage into the River Penk without authority; and what compensation it is proposed should be made to the angling societies who, at considerable expense, had previously stocked the river.
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Sir Kingsley Wood)I would refer my 817 hon. Friends to the reply given by my right hon. Friend on the 7th instant to a question on this subject by the hon. Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Ward-law-Milne). Pending consideration of the appeal, my right hon. Friend must reserve any statement as to future action. I understand that the Town Council are prepared to pay compensation to the angling societies.
§ Sir ROBERT BIRDIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a very unfair suggestion has been made in this House and outside that the Corporation of Wolverhampton deliberately released large quantities of sewage which had been held up pending a certificate granted by his Department, and is he aware that that suggestion is entirely without foundation and has been denied by the Town Clerk of Wolverhampton in the recent police court proceedings?
§ Sir K. WOODI was not aware of that fact, but, in view of the appeal, I must make no comments one way or the other concerning the issue before the Court.
§ Mr. LAMBIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the action of this local authority has not only affected the interests of human health and the fishing interests, but has also affected very seriously the rights of stockholders? Is he aware that very large herds of stock have no other drinking water except this river, and that water which has killed fish over a distance of 19 miles is unfit for stock, particularly dairy stock?
§ Sir K. WOODThe question of compensation will arise in this case, and no doubt people who have claims will put them forward.
§ Sir K. WOODI should like to have notice of that question; it is a legal matter.
§ Mr. EVERARDIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this certificate issued by the Ministry of Health has taken the power out of the hands of the Fishery Board of the district who controls the river?
§ Sir K. WOODThat raises a matter which it is impossible to deal with by question and answer.