§ 32. Sir W. Anstruther-Grayasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when his Advisory Committee on River Pollution last met; and how many meetings were held in 1958.
§ Mr. J. N. BrowneMy right hon. Friend understands that the Committee has not met since April, 1957, mainly because certain information which it has asked the river purification boards to collate and submit about conditions in their districts is not yet fully available, but that the Chairman hopes that it will be possible to resume sittings very shortly.
§ Sir W. Anstruther-GrayArising out of that reply, may I ask my hon. Friend to bear in mind that April, 1957, is quite a long time ago? Is he satisfied that this Committee is tackling its work with the urgency that the problem deserves?
§ Mr. BrowneYes, Sir, I am satisfied. We have reason to think that further meetings will take place very soon.
§ Mr. WoodburnIs the hon. Gentleman aware that some of this work is being held up by objections? I am sorry to say that some of these objections, probably on the grounds of expense, are coming from the nationalised industries. Will he ask his right hon. Friends who are responsible for these industries, and other Government Departments, to see that they, at least, do not hold up the work by lodging unnecessary objections?
§ Mr. BrowneYes. We will do what we can to help the Advisory Committee.