HC Deb 01 May 1958 vol 587 cc574-5
61. Mrs. Slater

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what experiments have been made, and with what results, on the use of compost from combining municipal waste and sewage sludge as a fertiliser.

Mr. Godber

Experiments carried out during the war and after at Rothamsted and elsewhere showed that this compost provides a useful organic manure. My Department advocates its use where it is available and suitable.

Mrs. Slater

While thanking the hon. Gentleman for his interest in this question, may I ask him if it would be possible for him to consult the Minister of Health and the Minister of Housing and Local Government to see how far local authorities should be encouraged to extend this service so that it might be used by agriculturists?

Mr. Godber

This is a matter primarily for the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, but officers of the National Agricultural Advisory Service gladly give any help they can in that respect.