TABLE Nov ember 16.

I hope you will allow me to correct one statement in the otherwise

excellent article by Derek Douglas on the proposed hydrogeological

investigation of the former steelworks site at Ravenscraig (November

12).

It is not correct to say that underground disposal of toxic wastes was

halted in the 1970s by Government legislation. My board became extremely

concerned in the years around 1970 by the growing practice of many

industries in Lanarkshire to evade the river pollution controls by

disposing of their wastes through mineshafts and boreholes into the vast

network of underground mineworkings.

In particular, severe pollution of the North Calder water in 1970 by

distillery wastes 12 months after they were disposed of to an old

mineshaft alerted us to the dangers of this practice.

The board unsuccessfully requested the Government to legislate to end

this practice and eventually (against Government advice) promoted a

private Bill which became the Clyde River Purification Board Act, 1972.

It was thanks to this measure that we were able to bring this practice

to an end. Unfortunately, by this time, millions of tonnes of waste

liquids containing oil, ammonia, phenol, and cyanides had been disposed

of under the Ravenscraig site.

What my board is now seeking is a thorough investigation of the

present extent of these underground wastes, the likelihood of their

breaking out into adjacent watercourses, and of the remedial measures

which may be necessary to prevent pollution in the foreseeable future.

The proposals made to British Steel by Aspinwall will, I believe, meet

our requirements.

Professor D. Hammerton,

Director,

Clyde River Purification Board,

Murray Road,

East Kilbride.