§ 23. Miss Fookesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the local authorities which rely upon the use of short sea outfalls for the disposal of sewage; and if he will take steps to encourage them to introduce other forms of disposal on environmental grounds.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsMy Department has been carrying out a survey of sea outfalls. As soon as this information has been compiled I will make it available to my hon. Friend.
§ Miss FookesDoes not my hon. Friend agree that it is alarming that in 1973 there should be any such outfalls, with the hazard that may arise to children and adults using the beaches, and also the threat to wild life in certain circumstances?
§ Mr. GriffithsI am afraid that I cannot accept that proposition entirely. This country has a very large amount of sea space and a comparatively small amount of land space. Provided sewage is properly treated before its discharge into the sea it makes sense to use the purifying capabilities of the sea rather than large areas of land in very short supply.
§ Mr. DalyellTaking the outfall from the city of Edinburgh into the Firth of 1276 Forth, for example, is there not a case for discussing with the Reclamation Industries Council various ways in which sewage can be treated and put to more constructive uses?
§ Mr. GriffithsI think there is such a case, but the hon. Gentleman will know that studies have been made and that the Government's views have been made known about the whole question of recycling waste for useful purposes.