HC Deb 27 June 1950 vol 476 cc2074-5
14. Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make an order similar to No. 364, 1950, which only applies to England so that the harmful discharge of fluorine fumes will be prohibited or corrected from factories in Scotland.

Mr. McNeil

I cannot make a comparable Order to the one referred to, but I am considering whether further legislation upon this subject is necessary.

Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the people of Fort William, and the trees and cattle there, are being sufficiently protected against the fumes of the British Aluminium Company?

Mr. McNeil

I am quite satisfied that the best public health requirements have been met in relation to housing and the emission of these fumes. I should, therefore, presume that the cattle are reasonably all right.

Major McCallum

Does the Minister realise that only last week the fumes emitted by this factory were still sufficient to cause withering and damage to trees and plants, so presumably they are still injurious to human beings?

Mr. McNeil

I do not pretend that this situation has not worried me, but I must point out that the public health requirements have been met in relation to housing. That, I think, must be my primary concern.

Colonel Gomme-Duncan

Why cannot the right hon. Gentleman issue a similar Order?

Mr. McNeil

Because the appropriate Act does not permit me to do so.