HC Deb 12 May 1959 vol 605 cc1024-5
11. Mr. L. Thomas

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what work the Water Pollution Research Laboratory of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research has done to improve the efficiency of sewage purification plants.

Mr. H. Nicholls

Following the suggestion of the staff of a district drainage board, this laboratory studied on a large scale for a period of years the potentialities of the alternating double filtration process of treating sewage. It has shown that the process of using two percolating filters, with their order in series changed at intervals, enables much greater volumes of sewage to be treated without increase in size of plant.

Mr. Thomas

Can my hon. Friend say whether the results of this research are being applied in practice today? If so, will he communicate, through his right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government, with all local authorities so that they may reap the benefit from this research in their sewage works?

Mr. Nicholls

Local authorities know about the researches which are going on, and there is clear evidence that the results are being applied. When I was looking into this matter I noticed a case in which if the old system had been in operation it would have cost about £480,000 to extend the sewage plant, whereas by using this system the same result was achieved at a cost of £87,000. This system is being applied and very practical results are being shown.

Mr. Anthony Greenwood

Can the hon. Gentleman say how many local authorities have adopted the system?

Mr. Nicholls

No, Sir. I should want notice of that supplementary question.