§ 10. Mr. JannerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received concerning the River Soar within the city of Leicester.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Environment (Mr. Colin Moynihan)No representations have been received specifically concerning the River Soar within the city of Leicester. However, a total of 44 representations have been received as a result of advertisements by Severn Trent Water of applications for time-limited discharge consents for certain sewage treatment works which discharge into the Soar upstream of Leicester. These are to allow the completion of capital improvement schemes to raise effluent quality standards.
§ Mr. JannerIs the Minister aware that the River Soar, which runs through my constituency and our beautiful Abbey park is becoming an eyesore? Does he understand that it is clogged with weeds, mud and filth? Will he as a rower, albeit a cox, appreciate the complaints that have been made by Leicester rowing club, fishermen and boatmen and by the general public about the state of the river? Will he take steps to have it cleaned up now?
§ Mr. MoynihanAs a cox I would have to avoid many floats on the River Soar not least because it is one of our leading cyprinid waters.
§ Mr. SkinnerWhat?
§ Mr. MoynihanI am sure that the hon. Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner) knows all about cyprinid waters. He will inform the hon. and learned Member for Leicester, West (Mr. Janner) that as a result of this it is recognised to be a fine, pure river and one that has extremely effective coarse fishing that is among the best in Europe, and is designated as such by the European Commission.