HC Deb 13 March 1972 vol 833 cc21-2
28. Mr. Roy Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what further action he is taking as a result of the traces of lead and cadmium found in samples of sea water recently collected off the South Wales coast.

Mr. Gibson-Watt

As my right hon Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food told the hon. Member on 14th February, his Department is monitoring for heavy metals, particularly lead and cadmium, in commercial fish and shellfish in the Severn Estuary and Bristol Channel as part of a national survey. In addition the Welsh Office is keeping in touch with the various bodies, including universities, which are engaged in research into pollution problems off the South Wales coast.

Mr. Hughes

Are not these persistent reports rather disturbing and should not the Government make greater efforts to trace the source of pollution? Can they not make it clear that the health and well-being of people are far more important than the narrow pursuit of profit?

Mr. Gibson-Watt

This is certainly a most important matter. It is expected that the report of the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on the lead content of commercially-caught fish will be published in April and the report on cadmium in the autumn. The report on the pollution problems in the Severn Estuary is being prepared by the Government's Sea Water Pollution Research Laboratory and will be available shortly.

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