HC Deb 04 August 1971 vol 822 c307W
Dr. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the present extent of Government assistance which can be given to industries to assist them in reducing the amount of undesirable industrial effluent discharged by them into rivers, estuaries or the sea.

Mr. Graham Page

There is no special Government assistance for the treatment of industrial effluents. The cost of such treatment should be regarded as part of the normal cost of production. The cost of effluent treatment plant can attract capital allowances against taxation. The cost of operating such plant is a normal business expense which may be taken into account in calculating taxable profit.