9. Mr. J. Wellsasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will allow domestic sewage systems to rank for grant where these systems will have to be installed as a result of action by river boards arising from the Rivers (Prevention of Pollution) Act, 1961.
§ Mr. CorfieldThere is no provision for Exchequer grant towards the cost of action to reduce river pollution in compliance with the 1961 Act, and my right hon. Friend does not think that grant for this purpose would be justified.
Mr. WellsIs not my hon. Friend aware of the grave hardship which this very undesirable piece of Private Member's legislation is causing to the entire farming community who live anywhere near a river and a great many private people who live in what might loosely be called new suburban areas not yet served by urban sewerage? This is a grave problem, and will my hon. Friend look at it again in a far more sympathetic light?
§ Mr. CorfieldIf my hon. Friend will send me any evidence of grave hardship, I will look at it, as I always do in matters of this sort, but I have no evidence of it myself.
Mr. WellsI have already sent my hon. Friend one or two letters and I would refrain from inundating him with frivolous complaints, but hon. Members on both sides of the House are aware of this.