§ Mr. RAMSBOTHAMasked the Minister of Health whether he has received any applications, under Section 14 of the Local Government Act, 1888, from county councils for the setting up of joint committees to enforce the provisions of the Rivers Pollution Prevention Acts as the result of the Minister's circular letter of 21st September, 1928; and whether, in the event of the response to such circular letter having been unsatisfactory, he proposes to take any further action in view of the importance of securing the purification of the rivers of the country?
§ Mr. GREENWOODTwo applications have been received. A public inquiry is being held into one of them this month; the other has not been proceeded with by the applicant council. When the catchment boards appointed under the Land Drainage Act, 1930, have had a reasonable time to function, I propose to review the position in the light of the power conferred on me by that Act of taking the initiative in securing the establishment of joint committees for preventing pollution.