§ Mr. Lomasasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware of the contamination of water in the Huddersfield area by the dumping of chemicals, in particular phenol; and if 58W he will take action under the Water Act, 1945, to secure the prohibition of such dumping, in view of the distress caused to people living in the area who are supplied by the Wessenden Head Reservoir.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonI know about this irresponsible dumping of chemicals and the unpleasant effect it has had on local water supplies, and I am satisfied that Huddersfield Corporation is taking effective measures to deal with the problems created. As regards action under the Water Act, 1945, I imagine my hon. Friend has in mind the making of bye-laws under Section 18 for the prevention of pollution of sources of water supply. Huddersfield has not made bye-laws under this section but since it owns this part of the reservoir catchment, it can take legal proceedings if the offender is traced.