HL Deb 05 February 1973 vol 338 cc956-7WA
LORD KENNET

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What studies they have made of the amount of lead which will fall into the new reservoir at Datchet from the adjacent M.4; how much will so fall; and how much it matters.

LORD SANDFORD

I understand that, with the possibility of contamination with lead from aircraft and the M.4 directly in mind, the Metropolitan Water Board have carried out studies on their Wraysbury Reservoir which is close to the reservoir now being built at Datchet and also under the Heathrow flight path. No lead was detected in the water. The Board are keeping the position under surveillance.

There are no Government studies on these particular reservoirs, but a large number of Government and Government-supported research projects on lead as a pollutant are in progress elsewhere.