§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYasked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the increasing pollution of the River Hull, particularly by the Driffield and Beverley sewerage outfalls and by certain new factories in the lower parts of the river; whether he is aware that on the upper stretches of the river the damage has been so serious that agriculturists have been deprived of a pure water supply for their stock, and that in some instances the inhabitants have been compelled to obtain water from a distance for drinking and domestic purposes; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?
Mr. BUXTONI am aware of the serious pollution of the River Hull, which has been brought to my notice with re-654W ference to its effect upon fisheries. I have received no complaints of damage to stock from this cause, and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, whose Department is concerned with water supply and sewage disposal, has informed me that he has received no complaints of the kind referred to in the question. With regard to the last part of the question, I would remind my hon. Friend that I have no authority to prevent or control pollution. I have, however, on several occasions brought the facts regarding the condition of the River Hull to the notice of the local authorities concerned.