§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will now provide additional funds to undertake research into the association between polluted bathing water and damage to health.
(2) which contagious diseases can be spread by bathing waters polluted by sewage.
§ Sir George YoungAs I indicated in my reply to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Short) on 17 July—[Vol. 8, c.500]—our closely integrated services for the surveillance and investigation of infectious disease have produced no evidence that contagious diseases are being spread in this country by bathing in water contaminated with sewage.
As to research, preliminary consideration has shown that there are serious doubts about the feasibility of mounting a meaningful study. Even if it were found to be feasible, such a project would be very expensive, and in view of the minimal health risk I do not consider that the use of scarce research funds would be justified.