HC Deb 20 May 1958 vol 588 cc1082-3
16. Mrs. Slater

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what consultation has taken place with the agricultural industry on the question of the use of compost as a fertiliser from combining municipal refuse and sewage sludge; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Bevins

My right hon. Friend has had no consultations with agriculture. He has however every reason to think that local authorities know of this method of dealing with these materials, and it is for each authority to decide in the first instance what method best suits its own circumstances.

Mrs. Slater

But as in a recent reply which I received from the Minister of Agriculture it was stated that this had been found to be a very valuable fertiliser, would not it be wise, when new sewerage works are being authorised, that the Minister should make a strong recommendation that this method of composting household refuse and sewage should be carried out as a long-term policy of economy and of service to the agricultural industry?

Mr. Bevins

I agree that is the view of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture that the manure which is produced is useful. The trouble is that it cannot be an economic proposition unless there is a ready local market for it because the stuff is bulky and the transport costs are high. If, however, any local authority wants to undertake work of this kind, and can show my right hon. Friend that it can pay its way, he is likely to give his consent.