51. Mrs. Slaterasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he is now in a position to make a statement on the trials which have been made by the Standing Technical Committee on Synthetic Detergents with a new detergent material.
§ Sir K. JosephMy right hon. Friend has received the Committee's Third Progress Report which contains a full account of the trials. He is arranging for the Report to be published and understands that it will appear by about the middle of next month. While the results so far have been encouraging the Committee is still uncertain whether the new material will provide as complete a solution as could have been wished. The trials are therefore being continued.
Mrs. SlaterIs the hon. Gentleman aware that this represents an increasing problem for local authorities concerning the pollution of rivers? Any visit to a local authority sewerage works proves without doubt that this is a matter of urgency. Can not it be speeded up?
§ Sir K. JosephI quite accept what the hon. Lady is saying. The Report, which, I am sure, she and hon. Members will read with interest, gives considerable hope and will be published within a few weeks.