HC Deb 04 November 1959 vol 612 c60W
107. Mr. Awbery

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister of Welsh Affairs if he is aware of the state of British rivers and canals into which flow sewage and effluent from factories causing noxious smells and which is destructive of fish life; and if he will cause a survey of these to be made with a view to preventing further deterioration and to improve them by cleansing the beds of the rivers.

Sir K. Joseph

My right hon. Friend knows that the condition of some (though not most) of our waterways presents a serious problem. But there has been much improvement recently which will continue as more new sewage disposal works are built. River boards keep a close watch on conditions in rivers and canals and there is already as much information available on these matters as any formal survey could produce.