§ 3. Mr. Russellasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what proportion of local authorities arrange for their sewage to be treated together with household and trade refuse and made into compost; and what steps are being taken to extend this practice in the interests both of economy and of public health.
§ Mr. H. BrookeVery few local authorities in England and Wales arrange for treatment of these materials together, although many utilise them separately. I will send my hon. Friend a copy of a report on the various methods of treating sewage sludge which was circulated to local authorities in 1954. It is for each local authority to decide what method best suits its own circumstances.
§ Mr. RussellWould not my right hon. Friend agree that a great deal of valuable material is wasted in this way, and would he give every encouragement to local authorities to erect plant to deal with it?
§ Mr. BrookeThis is quite a difficult economic question. I hope that my hon. Friend will study this report which I am sending to him. Before any local authority reaches its decision, it is necessary to see what economic results may follow from a particular policy.