§ 21. Mr. John Hallasked the Secretary of State for Local Government and Regional Planning what estimate has been made of the quantity of potentially dangerous toxic fluids, not detectable by the routine tests now being carried out by water authorities, which are likely to be present in rivers or other water sources from which the water supplies are drawn.
§ The Secretary of State for Local Government and Regional Planning (Mr. Anthony Crosland)No estimate of the total quantity of such fluids in water sources would be meaningful. Methods of testing water are constantly being refined and improved, and there is no evidence to suggest that public water supplies are other than safe and wholesome. Nevertheless, we aim to widen the margin of safety through continued research, improved local administration and better controls over the sources of pollution.
§ Mr. HallIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the evidence given to the Central Advisory Water Committee by the Institution of Water Engineers and the recent report by the Chief Medical Officer of Health of the Ministry of Health which indicates that a very large part of our water supplies are taken from sources polluted by chemicals not easily detectable? Does that not show that there is a very serious source of danger to public health? What action is the right hon. Gentleman taking to deal with this?
§ Mr. CroslandI have read both the evidence of the institution, and Sir George Godber's speech. The institution was not mentioning the subject to suggest that public water supplies are dangerously polluted. It was concerned to make the point, with which I agree, that there will be an increasing problem which in its view involves changes in the organisation 190 of the water industry. This question is now being looked at by the Central Advisory Water Committee.