§ 40. Major John Morrisonasked the Minister of Health if, in view of the dangerous condition of sewage in the River Bourne, of which he has been informed, he can now make a statement as to what steps it is proposed to take to ensure that the pollution is stopped and the health of those living in the valley not endangered.
§ Mr. WillinkThe sewage works concerned are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War, whose officers have been in touch with my Department, and now state that the bed of the River Bourne is being cleaned out as far as Newton Tony; that the excess flow over 800,000 gallons per day (for which the works were designed) is being irrigated over adjacent land; that it is intended to irrigate the whole of the effluent as soon as the necessary pumping plant can be obtained and meanwhile to secure a temporary pump if possible; 923 that the employment of expert supervisory staff is under consideration; and that fortnightly analyses will be forwarded to my Department. I have arranged for my technical officers to visit and report on the situation in a month's time.
§ Major MorrisonArising out of that reply, will my right hon. and learned Friend see if it is possible to expedite the matter?
§ Mr. WillinkYes, Sir.