§ 41. Sir C. Osborneasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will hold a local inquiry into the River Trent Authority's consent under the Clean Rivers (Estuaries and Tidal Waters) Act 1960 to the discharge of effluent by the River Trent Authority into the River Humber at Stallingborough, near Immingham, which is opposed by the Grimsby Rural District Council and the Lincolnshire River Authorities; and if he will withhold his consent to this scheme until a decision is reached by the local authority.
§ The Minister for Planning and Land (Mr. Kenneth Robinson)On the information at present available to me, it appears that the Trent River Authority gave the consent in accordance with the appropriate statutes. My right hon. Friend therefore sees no case on the face of it for him to hold a local inquiry. The effluent will not be discharged by the River Trent Authority but by the Appleby Froddingham Steel Company and others; and no further consents are required from him. However, I welcome the hon. Member's suggestion that we should meet, and I have replied to his letter accordingly.
§ Sir C. OsborneI am much obliged for the Answer, but will the Minister bear in mind that the two local authorities which are most affected by this proposal are bitterly opposed to it and would be very grateful to him if he would hear their objections before he makes a final decision?
§ Mr. RobinsonI am aware of this. I think the hon. Gentleman and I might discuss this matter first.