§ 93. Mr. Collinsasked the Minister of Health what progress has been made since 1943 in abating the pollution of the Rivers Axe and Brue by the two traders concerned; what was the date of the last report to him; and if he is satisfied with the efficacy of the steps that have been taken.
§ Mr. BevanI am advised that an improvement in the state of the River Axe has already been effected, following intensive research, carried out with the assistance of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, into methods of treating the effluent from the paper mill concerned. In the case of the River Brue,
148W
Region September, 1945 September, 1948 September, 1949 London and South Eastern … … 12,223 13,903 11,417 Eastern … … 2,502 1,995 1,906 Southern … … 7,540 9,941 8,146 South Western … … 4,916 4,960 4,282 Midland and North Midland … … 3,113 2,987 2,603 East and West Ridings. … … 4,718 4,478 3,724 North Western … … 27,300 22,511 17,900 Northern … … 15,640 17,320 14,474 Scotland … … 17,036 15,290 12,460 Wales … … 8,567 8,015 5,390 Total, Great Britain … … 103,555 101,400 82,302 it is proposed to construct new sewage disposal works to treat the trade wastes together with domestic sewage, and negotiations on points of detail are in progress between the local authority and the traders concerned. I am being kept informed of the negotiations, and have also been furnished with a comprehensive report by the county medical officer of health on the condition of the Somerset rivers in October, 1949.