§ 62. Major Conantasked the Minister of Health whether his attention had been drawn to a recent serious case of pollution of a river of which the name has been conveyed to him; and whether, in view of the necessity for pure water for domestic, agricultural and fishery purposes, he will warn all new factories engaged in war work, especially those in rural areas whose effluent passes into rivers, of the importance of taking precautions to purify their effluents, and that failure to do so may render them liable to prosecution?
§ Mr. E. BrownYes, Sir, and I am happy to say that prompt action was 617 taken by the local authority which should prevent any recurrence of pollution. I welcome the publicity which my hon. and gallant Friend's Question has given to the matter, and I am glad of the opportunity of emphasizing the risks entailed by the discharge of noxious industrial effluents as well as the liability to prosecution involved. I will confer with the appropriate Supply Departments as to any steps which can profitably be taken to bring the matter to the notice of firms concerned.