§ 77. Mr. Lunnasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that at many collieries there are burning and blazing pit-heaps; whether there is any common method recommended by his Department for dealing effectively with them in the interests of the health of the people and food production in the areas concerned; and will he consider exercising his powers under the Defence Emergency Act, 1939, to abate this nuisance and danger?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Miss Horsbrugh)A comprehensive survey of these pit-heaps has been made by my Department's alkali inspectors and methods of abatement have been established and published in the Chief Inspector's Annual Reports. Much progress has been made in securing abatement particularly since the powers of the Civil Defence Act have been available, and these powers are being exercised wherever necessary.