HC Deb 15 November 1948 vol 458 c36
52. Sir T. Moore

asked the Minister of Agriculture how much sewage in England and Wales is now utilised for enriching the soil; and if he can give an estimate of the general result to the crops.

Mr. G. Brown

I regret the information sought in the first part of the Question is not available. As to the second part, I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy of a recent memorandum by the Agricultural Research Council reporting on investigations extending over eight years into the manurial value of sewage sludge and sludge composts.

Sir T. Moore

Will the hon. Gentleman have consultation—agreeable consultation, no doubt—with his right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, who has promised to inquire into this subject, in order to see what are the fruitful possibilities of this most valuable fertiliser?

Mr. Brown

I think that it might be well if the hon. and gallant Gentleman waited until he had read the memorandum.