HC Deb 20 February 1968 vol 759 cc215-7
5. Mr. Wall

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what was the total estimated cost in 1966–67 of approved schemes for the disposal of effluent by industry and local authorities, respectively, necessitated by the new standards of pollution established by the river boards; and what Government grants have been made.

16. Mr. Robert Howarth

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what estimate he has made of the cost of capital expenditure over the next 10 years on sewage disposal and treatment equipment and buildings by local authorities necessary to give effect to the Rivers (Prevention of Pollution) Acts, 1951, and 1961 and the Public Health Act, 1961.

24 and 25. Mr. Peyton

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) if he will set up an inquiry into the rapidly growing problem of the disposal of industrial effluent; and if he will make a statement;

(2) what estimate he has made of the total capital expenditure over each of the next five years on a national basis on the disposal of industrial effluent.

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (Mr. Arthur Skeffington)

This subject was examined by a sub-committee of the Central Advisory Water Committee before the relevant legislation was passed in 1961. My right hon. Friend has since had correspondence about it with the Confederation of British Industry and also met it, and he has studied individual cases where appeals have been made to him. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that Parliament did right to pass this legislation, and that inadequate control of discharges into rivers is not only insanitary but uneconomic. The practical application of the Acts can only be studied usefully in relation to particular cases. For this reason he has not placed on local authorities and industry the burden of compiling returns to enable him to arrive at a total of how much less they might spend if their effluents were dirtier, and this element is not treated separately for the purpose of grants.

Mr. Speaker

Order. Answers are getting rather long.

Mr. Wall

Why has disposal of trade effluent not been costed by the Government? River boards are demanding higher standards but no one knows the cost to industry or local authorities. Will the hon. Gentleman assist the local authorities in this matter?

Mr. Skeffington

We are studying the problem and assembling some facts but that does not in any way derogate from my Answer.

Mr. Howarth

Will my hon. Friend accept that, even if some of the more modest estimates by sections of industry and others of the likely cost of cleaning our rivers are correct, some estimate ought to be made by the Government?

Mr. Skeffington

I thought that I had already indicated that, as we build up information, we shall know more about this matter. Local conditions vary enormously.

Mr. Peyton

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the squeezing together of all these Questions, although they are distantly related, is typical of the dilettante attitude of the Government towards this very important problem? Does not he think it odd that, faced with this great and growing problem which presents increasing claims upon our national resources, the Government are not even able to give any estimate of costs?

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Moyle—Question No. 6.

Mr. Peyton

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.