§ 3.2 p.m.
§ LORD FRASER OF LONSDALEMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will state what improvements have taken place recently in the cleanliness of the river Thames; what migratory fish have returned to the river; and when Members of both Houses may expect to fish for salmon or sea trout from the Terrace.
§ LORD GARNSWORTHYMy Lords, the reply that I wish to give to the noble Lord, Lord Fraser of Lonsdale, is one of some length, and I hope that your Lordships will be patient with me, but I thought it worth while going into some detail.
My Lords, above Teddington the Thames is now clean throughout its length, a considerable improvement since a survey in 1958. Below Teddington the 1970 River Pollution Survey showed it to be of poor quality down to Canvey Island and doubtful quality from there down to the sea. This itself was a considerable improvement again on the 1958 survey. I am happy to report that since 1971 there has been a substantial reduction in the pollution load passed to the tideway and some 71 species of fish have now returned to it. As regards migratory fish, sea trout, smelt, eels and elvers, lampreys and lamperns, shad and flounders have recently been recorded there. If noble Lords tried fishing from the Terrace during the winter and early spring during periods of high freshwater flow, they might just possibly already take a sea trout, subject to close season considerations. Present pollution control plans will result in further improvement in river quality; but, my Lords, it is too early yet to make realistic forecasts, and I would not like to venture any expectation with regard to salmon.
§ LORD FRASER OF LONSDALEMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for so substantial an Answer, may I ask him 330 whether he is aware that it would give enormous pleasure and prestige if the Thames did turn out to be one of the cleanest rivers in a great city, and if the salmon, with all his connotations of excellence, were to come back?
§ LORD GARNSWORTHYMy Lords, I fully appreciate what the noble Lord has said. To what I said earlier I should like to add that I thought it would be useful on my part to go to County Hall and have a look at the exhibition of living fish that they have in the entrance hall there. I would suggest that any noble Lord who is really interested should go along to see the fish that have been caught. I made inquiries about the fishing that is actually done, and I was told that quite recently eight young men spent four hours and caught between them during that period no less than 144 fish, which is an indication that the quality of the water is really improving apace.
§ LORD STRATHCONA AND MOUNT ROYALMy Lords, could the noble Lord tell us what steps have been taken to publicise this very happy story he has been telling us? Is he aware that the results achieved in the Thames were cited at a meeting of the North Atlantic Assembly last week in Washington as an example to the rest of Europe of which this country might reasonably be proud?
§ LORD GARNSWORTHYMy Lords, I will say briefly that I was delighted to take a delegation from Poland to County Hall, again on my visit there, to show them the fish. I hope the statement I have made this afternoon will do something to give publicity. I am grateful to the Port of London Authority for the information that they have published from time to time, which I am sure would be available to any noble Lord who requires it.
§ LORD HARVEY OF PRESTBURYMy Lords, will the noble Lord also agree that industry has played a considerable part in bringing about this happy situation, by investing large sums to improve the environment?
§ LORD GARNSWORTHYMy Lords, I think the total involved is about £30 million, and it has been money very well spent.