HC Deb 19 March 1965 vol 708 cc333-4W
Mr. Howe

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) whether he will identify the source or sources of recent excessive pollution of the River Dee; and what steps he is taking to ensure that such pollution does not recur;

(2) whether he is aware of the difficulties recently experienced by the Wirral Water Board in ensuring that water supplies procured from the River Dee are drinkable and free from pollution; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent the recurrence of such difficulties.

Mr. MacColl

My right hon. Friend is aware of the difficulties experienced by the Wirral Water Board. There has recently been a high concentration of ammonia in the River Dee. This is probably due to intermittent discharges of industrial effluent, containing ammoniacal nitrogen, into the Worthenbury Brook, a tributary of the Dee. The Dee and Clwyd River Board, who are responsible for the prevention of pollution in the river, are taking steps to prevent a recurrence.