§ 53. Mr. HOLLANDasked the Minister of Health, in view of the increasing number of burning pit heaps in mining areas which prove to be a nuisance and a danger to public health, what further steps he intends to take, in conjunction with local authorities, to punish offenders and put an end to this evil?
§ Sir K. WOODI am not aware of the increase to which the hon. Member refers, or that any further steps in addition to the action now taken by local authorities are practicable. The hon. Member will appreciate that the technical difficulties of the abatement of a nuisance arising from burning pit heaps are frequently considerable.
§ Mr. T. SMITHIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are general complaints about these heaps, and will he not expedite as far as possible the Bill that has been brought in by my hon. Friend the Member for Leigh (Mr. Tinker)?
§ Sir K. WOODI think the real difficulty is, as I have endeavoured to explain in my answer, the adoption of a practical remedy. It is not so much a question of legislation as of finding some practical means for dealing with these heaps.
§ Mr. PALINGAre any steps being taken to find a solution of these technical difficulties?
§ Sir K. WOODYes; I think the local authorities are constantly trying to overcome them.
§ Mr. D. L. DAVIESDoes not the practical remedy lie in keeping the rubbish underground rather than bringing it to the surface?