HC Deb 17 March 1976 vol 907 c1303
6. Mr. Freud

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he intends to visit the new sewerage installations in the Wisbech district.

Mr. John Silkin

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State can hardly wait, but prior engagements make it unlikely that it will be for some time.

Mr. Freud

My constituents will be sorry to hear that. They would like to have complained to the right hon. Gentleman about the appalling state in which the roads were left by the contractors; the total disregard they showed for pedestrians by neglect of the footpaths while doing the work; and the lack of help or advice given to traders who claimed compensation for lost turnover due to these works.

Mr. Silkin

So far as that is a question or a series of questions, I have a great deal of sympathy with the local traders. As the hon. Member knows, we have been in correspondence about this matter. I have asked the Anglia Water Authority to look into the question. If the hon. Gentleman cares to keep me posted on the views of the traders in the light of that, I will of course be ready, able and willing to discuss the matter with him.

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