HC Deb 01 February 1945 vol 407 cc1627-8
48. Lady Apsley

asked the Minister of Agriculture, in view of the need to use home-produced fertiliser substitutes for imported fertilisers, is he yet in a posi- tion to state the results of his investigations as to methods of using domestic sewage sludge compost with straw and waste.

The Minister of Agriculture (Mr. R. S. Hudson)

Sewage sludges, whether used alone or composted with other materials, have been shown to have value as fertilisers. This value varies widely with the type of sludge, and the soil and crop to which it is applied. Research on this problem is being actively continued and the results are made known to the appropriate technical officers whose duty it is to advise in specific cases.

Lady Apsley

Is there not a committee dealing with this subject; and has it reported yet?

Mr. Hudson

Its proposals are made known to the appropriate authorities from time to time.