§ Mr. Harold Daviesasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and 82W Minister for Welsh Affairs how many firms or local authorities have been prosecuted for river pollution in each of the past five years.
§ Sir K. JosephThis information is not available. River Boards need my right hon. Friend's consent before prosecuting under Section 2 of the Rivers (Prevention of Pollution) Act, 1951, in respect of trade effluent or of sewage effluent of a local authority, but he does not know how far the consents given are followed by prosecutions.
One such consent was given in 1955, none in 1956, four in 1957, two in 1958 and one in 1959.
River Boards do not have to inform my right hon. Friend when they proceed under various other powers.