§ Mr. SpellerTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what permits he has issued to allow sewage sludge boats to discharge their cargo in or off the Bristol channel; what is the annual rate of discharge; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CurryTwo water companies, Welsh and Wessex, are licensed to dump 55,000 tonnes and 300,000 tonnes respectively of treated sludge at a dump site situated about half-way across the Bristol channel between Ilfracombe and the Gower peninsula. About 95 per cent. of the sewage sludge is water. Each company is authorised to dump up to 10 per cent. of its licensed quantity at an alternative bad weather site which is situated 6 miles east of the main site.