§ Mr. Moneyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will update the last river pollution survey; and whether the figures involved show any general improvement in the condition of rivers.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsThe 1970 River Pollution Survey has been updated to 1972. The updated volume 1 has been published. The updated volume 2 will be published later this year. The whole survey will then be updated to 1973 and published.
There has been a significant general improvement in the condition of rivers 219W between 1970 and 1972. 76 per cent. of rivers in England and Wales are now classified as unpolluted. Between 1970 and 1972, despite a growth of industry and population, the length of grossly polluted rivers decreased by 123 miles, while the length of unpolluted stretches of river increased by 254 miles. There has been a very welcome increase in the number of discharges to rivers that fully comply with the river authorities' conditions of consent. There has been a steady decline in the number of crude sewage discharges, which are mostly to tidal waters, from 484 to 458.