§ Mr. Greville Jannerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what investigations, sampling and testing were carried out, and by whom, when and where, in the light of which his Department has advised that there are no medical reasons against proceeding 52W with the development of the Beaumont Leys sewage area pilot scheme in Leicester, North-West;
(2) by whom in his Department, where and when, advice was given, that the development of the sludge spreading area of the Beaumont Leys sewage area in Leicester, North-West, should depend on the results of further sampling; and what further sampling has been recommended;
(3) by whom in his Department, to whom, where and when, was advice given that there are no medical reasons against proceeding with the development of the Beaumont Leys sewage area pilot scheme in Leicester, North-West; and precisely what advice was given.
§ Mr. Graham PageThe decision to proceed with this limited development was reached on 18th October at a joint meeting of the city health and estates committees, following discussions with professional officers of the Department of Health and Social Security and my Department. Their advice, based on the results of analyses of soil samples and of vegetables grown in the pilot area, which the city analyst provided earlier this year, was that the concentrations found were not such as to constitute a hazard to health. I am arranging to send the hon. Member a summary of these analyses. The degree of risk from contamination in the old sludge spreading area is more difficult to assess, and the city was advised that more analyses of soil and vegetation would be needed. These, I understand, the city analyst has undertaken to provide.