§ 82. Mr. Awbery
asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how many towns of over 10,000 inhabitants on rivers and on the coast have not provided scientific methods of treating sewage; and what steps he is taking to compel all such authorities to treat all effluent properly and hygienically before disposing of it.
§ Mr. Corfield
What constitutes adequate scientific treatment depends on a number of varying local circumstances, and I could not say what methods are used in which areas without a special inquiry.
Under the Rivers (Prevention of Pollution) Act, 1961, which came into force on 1st June, local authorities are obliged to seek consent from the river board to continue an existing discharge and—subject to appeal to my right hon. Friend—to comply with conditions attached to the consent.