§ 6. Mr. J. Johnsonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what county boroughs, other than Coventry, have been given his approval to begin new sewage disposal schemes in an effort to check the growing pollution of rivers in their vicinity.
§ Mr. H. BrookeSince 1st January, 1955, fifty-two inland county boroughs, apart from Coventry, have had works of sewerage or sewage disposal authorised which should improve the effluent discharged into rivers in the vicinity.
§ Mr. JohnsonCan the right hon. Gentleman tell us how this compares with last year's total of applications? Can he give the House an assurance that he will be sympathetic towards an application for financial help from the authorities concerned, because this is the only 175 effective way to check the growing menace of river pollution?
§ Mr. BrookeThe hon. Member's Question did not refer to a particular period, and I gave him the figures for the last two and a half years, in which schemes amounting to £11,600,000 have been authorised.
§ Mr. RoyleCan the right hon. Gentleman say what improvement there has been since the passing of the Rivers (Prevention of Pollution) Act, 1951? Can he now see any difference in the rivers in the industrial areas?
§ Mr. BrookeI answered a Question on that subject last week and said that sixteen river boards reported an improvement in the condition of rivers.