§ Mr. Howeasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) whether he will identify the source or sources of recent excessive pollution of the River Dee; and what steps he is taking to ensure that such pollution does not recur;
(2) whether he is aware of the difficulties recently experienced by the Wirral Water Board in ensuring that water supplies procured from the River Dee are drinkable and free from pollution; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent the recurrence of such difficulties.
§ Mr. MacCollMy right hon. Friend is aware of the difficulties experienced by the Wirral Water Board. There has recently been a high concentration of ammonia in the River Dee. This is probably due to intermittent discharges334W of industrial effluent, containing ammoniacal nitrogen, into the Worthenbury Brook, a tributary of the Dee. The Dee and Clwyd River Board, who are responsible for the prevention of pollution in the river, are taking steps to prevent a recurrence.