§ Mr. Peter Millsasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) whether he is satisfied with the sewage disposal system for Okehampton in Devon; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what plans have been submitted to him for improving the existing sewage disposal system for Okehampton in Devon; and what action he has taken;
(3) what danger to health arises from the present system of sewage disposal at Okehampton, Devon;
92W(4) how many acres are waterlogged and covered with untreated sewage in Okehampton, Devon.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonNeither the borough council nor I regard the present system of sewage disposal as satisfactory. But, though part of the 78 acres of land leased by the council is often waterlogged, only a small part is used for sewage irrigation and, so far as I am aware, none of it is covered with untreated sewage. The Council has only recently suggested that the present conditions give rise to a public health risk, and I am arranging for an engineering inspector to visit the area again. The council's proposals for a new sewage disposal works have stood deferred since 1965 because of the need for restricting the growth in public capital investment, but they will be reconsidered in the light of the inspector's report.