HC Deb 17 October 1972 vol 843 cc49-50W
Mr. Golding

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will introduce legislation to compel industrialists to purify gaseous and liquid effluents which arise out of production.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

Emissions of gaseous effluents are already controlled under the Alkali Acts and the Clean Air Acts; the quality of trade and sewage effluent discharged to rivers is controlled under the Rivers (Prevention of Pollution) Acts and most trade effluent discharged to sewers is controlled under the Public Health Acts; the discharge of liquids on to land in a hazardous way is controlled by the Deposit of Poisonous Waste Act, 1972. I am keeping the whole field under close review, and am considering what further controls are necessary or desirable, in the light of the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution and other interested bodies.