§ Mr. Newtonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give a general direction to water authorities to provide, without charge to householders, a service for clearing cesspits and 361W septic tanks of properties without main drainage but in respect of which sewerage rates have been levied, or to reimburse district councils for the costs of providing such a service.
§ Mr. Denis HowellThe provision of a service for clearing cesspits and septic tanks is a function of the district councils under the Public Health Act 1936 and water authorities have no power to incur or reimburse expenditure on that function.