HC Deb 20 June 1961 vol 642 cc1165-6
31. Mr. Rankin

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has now brought the Rivers (Scotland) Pollution Act, 1951, into full operation.

Mr. Galbraith

The Act is in operation throughout Scotland except for the North and South Esks (in Angus and Kincardineshire), and for tidal waters other than those of the River Forth. An Order giving the local authorities concerned jurisdiction over the Esks is now being made. A draft Order for the Clyde estuary will be published as soon as the Clyde River Purification Board are in a position to operate the Act there.

Mr. Rankin

In view of the fact that the Under-Secretary of State tells us that the Act is now in operation throughout nearly the whole of Scotland, why is it that most of the Scottish rivers are still dirtier than they were before the coming into operation of the Act? Can he say what he is doing to get river boards to do the job for which they were appointed?

Mr. Galbraith

I should not like to accept that the rivers are necessarily dirtier than they were before.

Mr. Rankin

Yes.

Mr. Galbraith

I recognise and agree with the hon. Member that it is a great problem involving a lot of technical difficulties. My right hon. Friend's Department is pressing the various river purification boards to get on with it as fast as they can.

Mr. Rankin

He has bad ten years to deal with these technical difficulties. Can the hon. Member promise that in the next ten years, if he still has the power, he will solve them?

Mr. Galbraith

I will certainly promise to do the best I can. I can encourage the hon. Member by saying that we expect a report from the Clyde River Purification Board towards the end of the year—

Mr. Rankin

Which year?

Mr. Galbraith

This year—and my right hon. Friend hopes to publish a draft Order soon thereafter.