§ Mr. Greville Jannerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether he will require tests to be carried out upon the soil of the Beaumont Leys industrial effluent dumping ground in Leicester, North-West, to ascertain whether mercury, arsenic or toxic metals other than those already found there are present, and in what quantities;
(2) whether he will take steps to ensure that planning permission for the building of homes on the Beaumont Leys industrial effluent dumping ground in Leicester, North-West, is refused until the likely effect of the lead, cadmium, nickel, zinc, copper and other metals therein upon residents has been ascertained;
(3) whether he will issue warnings to proposed purchasers of land on the Beaumont Leys industrial effluent dumping ground in Leicester, North-West, of the possible effects of lead, cadmium, nickel, zinc, copper and other metals in the soil thereof.
§ Mr. Graham PageNo. This is primarily a matter for the Leicester City Council, as local planning and health 69W authority, who have given planning permission for the development of a pilot area only. That area is not part of the area primarily used for sludge spreading but it was for a time irrigated with sewage effluent. The Departments of the Environment and of Health and Social Security have advised, in the light of investigations, sampling and testing, that there are no medical reasons against proceeding so far, but that development of the sludge spreading area should depend on the results of further sampling. The Departments will continue to give advice and help as required.