§ 59. Mr. E. Smithasked the Minister of Health whether it is proposed to take any steps to enable the localities affected to benefit from the report or observations contained in the twenty-second report issued by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research on the investigation of atmospheric pollution; and what is the policy of the Ministry on the problem of smoke pollution of the atmosphere?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Mr. Bernays)Copies of the report have been sent to the local authorities of the areas concerned and other bodies co-operating in obtaining the records included in the report. My right hon. Friend's policy is to encourage local authorities to exercise their statutory functions under the smoke prevention provisions of the Public Health Act, 1936. The main difficulty in the way of effective action is lack of knowledge of practicable means of prevention, and investigations into various aspects of the problem are being carried out by the Government, by local authorities and by industry. The 917 Department's officers are always prepared to assist local authorities and industrialists in particular difficulties.
§ Mr. SmithWhat steps have been taken by the Minister to encourage local authorities to deal with it?
§ Mr. BernaysI stated that in my answer.