HC Deb 25 February 1975 vol 887 c101W
Mr. Rooker

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what research work is currently sponsored by his Department in the fields of industrial and domestic effluent treatment.

Mr. Denis Howell

The Department is currently sponsoring two advanced wastewater treatment plants at Coleshill near Birmingham and Davyhulme near Manchester, which are investigating physical-chemical methods of sewage treatment. In addition, eight other projects dealing with improvements in existing processes are being sponsored by the Department. Another 36 projects originally sponsored by the Department were transferred to the Water Research Centre on its formation on 1st April 1974.

Mr. Rooker

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions his Department is holding with industry on the matter of effluent treatment; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Denis Howell

My Department has regular meetings with bodies representing industry to discuss matters of this kind connected with water quality, but is not pursuing specific discussions at present on effluent treatment.