§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how much lime is used annually by sewage authorities for the treatment of sewage;
(2) what additional quantity of lime will be required annually for the treatment of sewage following the decision that expenditure upon sewage and sewage disposal is to be advanced to £700 million over a four to five year programme.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsLime is used in some processes for the treatment of sewage sludge. I have no precise information about the total quantity used but it is estimated to be of the order of 50,000 tons a year. Any increase in use will depend less on the increase in capital investment than upon the choice of methods of treatment. New methods at present under study are unlikely to affect the total significantly in the next four or five years and as the choice between existing methods is influenced by local circumstances I regret that I cannot usefully forecast what additional quantities might be used during that period.
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§ Mrs. Lena Jegerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the Report of the Working Party on Sewage Disposal.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerMy right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I have published the Government's observations on the main recommendations in circular 10/72. Copies are available in the Vote Office. The circular will be on sale to the public tomorrow.