63. Mr. W. T. Williamsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the present average outpouring of effluent into the River Mersey each day in the area of Warrington; what is the nature of that effluent; and how greatly the amount now polluting the river has varied during the past five years.
§ Mr. RossiControl of discharges to the River Mersey is the responsibility of the Mersey and Weaver River Authority. If the hon. and learned Member gets in touch with the authority, I understand that it will do its best to help him, subject to the statutory restrictions on disclosure of information.
§ 65. Mr. Darlingasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice he has given to river authorities on the prosecution of industrial undertakings responsible for polluting rivers; and what estimate he has made of the effects of their decision to abandon prosecutions on his policy of getting severely polluted watercourses cleaned as speedily as possible.
§ Mr. RossiThe answer to the first part of the question is "None, Sir"; and to the second that my right hon. and learned Friend is not aware of any decision by a river authority to abandon prosecutions.