§ Dr. David Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with the public health authorities in Devon about the likelihood of toxic metal contamination, including arsenic, of the East and West Okement rivers during the construction of the southern route of the Okehampton bypass.
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§ Mr. Peter BottomleyWe have had no such discussion with public health authorities. We rely on the South-West water authority for advice on measures to take during the construction of the bypass to protect water supplies.
§ Dr. David Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Transport what studies his Department has undertaken to ascertain the extent of mineral deposits including arsenic under the southern route of the Okehampton bypass.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyWe have carried out no studies to ascertain the extent of mineral deposits or arsenic under the route of the Okehampton bypass, because it is not a normal pre-construction activity.
§ Dr. David Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to receive the results of the soil tests on the southern route of the Okehampton bypass which he has commissioned from the Wimpey Laboratories; and if he will publish these results.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyWe expect to receive the report of the soil investigation in July. As the information is of a specialist nature for road construction purposes, the information will be supplied to those firms invited to tender for the construction of the bypass.
§ Dr. David Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the correspondence he has had with the South-West Wales authority on the subject of the metallic contamination of water courses in the vicinity of the southern route of the Okehampton bypass.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThere has not been any such correspondence.