§ 8. Mr. A. Robertsasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what steps he proposes to take on a short-term basis, pending the Report by the Standing Committee on Detergents, to mitigate the nuisance caused by foam blowing off the River Calder into the main shopping 191 centre of the borough of Castleford, Yorkshire.
§ Mr. RipponWe advised the Borough Council of Castleford in October on steps that can be taken to deal with the situation on a short-term basis.
§ Mr. RobertsI know that this is a difficult problem, but the foam is a threat to the business community of the town, apart from being a nuisance to the well-being of some of the traders. However, would the Parliamentary Secretary lend his support if an approach were made to the British Transport Commission to reduce the level at the weir and thus avoid the breaking up of the water which is causing the foam to become airborne?
§ Mr. RipponI appreciate that is a difficult problem. We have given our advice to the local authority. It is for the local authority to act on it if it sees fit. Modification of the weir is possible, but I think that it would be much too expensive.