§ Dr. John A. Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what investigations are being made into the problem of the disposal of sludge and effluent from coal washeries, in particular, by his Department, by the National Environmental Research Council, and by other organisations under contract to his Department.
§ Mr. Graham PageI am not aware of any particular problems requiring investigation in respect of the disposal of waste from coal washeries. Effluent, if discharged to a river, is subject to control by the river authority; sludge is usually disposed into specially constructed lagoons. These lagoons are subject to the safety measures required under the Mines and Quarries (Tips) Act, 1969, and regulations there under. I understand that, in addition, the National Coal Board has introduced further safeguards 193W by laying down stringent engineering standards and is financing research work, some of which is undertaken at universities, on problems associated with the disposal of colliery refuse.