HC Deb 23 June 1959 vol 607 c110W
36. Mr. Dodds

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will make a statement indicating the progress made in dealing with the pollution of the River Thames; and to what extent he expects that the Erith district will be spared this summer the stench nuisance of previous years.

Mr. Bevins

Improvements costing over £20 million are being carried out by the London County Council. Those at the Northern Outfall works should be completed in 1960 and those at the Southern Outfall works by 1963. Elsewhere along the tidal river, works costing several million pounds are in progress or have recently been finished, and further works are in view. On the best forecast that can be made at present, there should be a substantial improvement in the river next year, and my right hon. Friend hopes that after 1962 there will be no more trouble from smells, unless perhaps during conditions of exceptional drought.