§ Mr. Awberyasked the Minister of Health, if he will now state the result of the inquiry which has been made into the incidence of poliomyelitis as a result of crude sewage being deposited in rivers and estuaries; to what extent an abnormal number of cases have been discovered in such places; and if he will make it an offence to permit untreated excreta to flow into our streams.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI assume the hon. Member has in mind the Committee of the Public Health Laboratory Service which is concerning itself with bathing 91W beaches. The results of this Committee's investigations are not yet available. With regard to the last part of the Question, the practice mentioned is already an offence under Section 2 of the Rivers (Prevention of Pollution) Act, 1951.