§ Mr. Steenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what risk to the health of the Merseyside population is created by the fact that the Mersey has recently become substantially more polluted; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Denis HowellIn March the North-West Water Authority received a report from its officers which indicated some worsening in the condition of part of the non-tidal section of the River Mersey. There is no reason to suppose that this has created any risk to public health. The report covered only a relatively short period and should be viewed 317W in the context of considerable overall improvements during the past few years in the Mersey catchment.