HC Deb 06 March 1962 vol 655 cc186-7
13. Mr. Jennings

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what improvement there has been in the condition of the River Trent at Burton-on-Trent in the last two years: and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Rippon

As I stated in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend on 27th February, the Trent River Board has reported some improvement in the state of the river at Burton. Much work is being done to improve sewage effluents, both in the Tame Valley and elsewhere in the Upper Trent basin, and one of the major polluting effluents in the Potteries, spent gas liquor from the Etruria gas works, will shortly cease to be discharged to the river.

Mr. Jennings

I welcome the statement about improvement of the Trent at Burton, but is not my hon. Friend aware that the River Trent there is still a very foul and filthy river and that the River Tame flows into the Trent a very short distance upriver from Burton? While it is pleasing to know that important sewerage improvement works are in hand and that the long-term prospect is reasonably good, will my hon. Friend, in view of the magnitude of the problem at Burton-on-Trent, take steps to see that Burton-on-Trent is represented on the Trent River Board?

Mr. Rippon

There is no doubt that the Tame is heavily polluted. This is why so much importance attaches to the very considerable amount of works now being carried out. Representation on the river board is governed by the 1948 Act, based largely on the contributions which are made to the finances of the board. Representation is kept under review, and I will bear in mind the point my hon. Friend makes.

14. Mr. Jennings

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what was the source and extent of the oil pollution in the River Trent at or near Burton-on-Trent which resulted in the death of nine swans at Burton-on-Trent during the week commencing 11th February, 1962.

Mr. Rippon

No precise information is available. The Trent River Board knows nothing at first hand about the incident and has been unable to trace any particular discharge of oil to which it could be attributed.

Mr. Jennings

Although the death of nine swans on a river is not an epoch-making event, it is still a serious matter because it pinpoints the national problem of oil pollution of British waters. What powers has a river board to prosecute offenders if, or when, they are caught? Would not a few such prosecutions have a salutary effect?

Mr. Rippon

A river board may prosecute if it can catch its offender. I have no doubt that such prosecutions would be salutary in appropriate circumstances, but it is a matter for the river board.