§ 16. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, if he will give a full report on the research up to the latest date on air pollution.
§ Mr. BevinsA great deal of research is being done on the problems of air pollution. It includes measuring the amount and content of pollution; methods of preventing it; and studies of its effect on health, especially in relation to respiratory diseases. Among the Departments principally concerned are the Fuel Research Station and other establishments of the D.S.I.R., the Medical Research Council, the Ministry of Fuel and Power and the nationalised fuel and power industries.
178 The results are described in reports of the Fuel, Chemistry and Building Research Boards of the D.S.I.R. and in many scientific and technical journals.
§ Mr. SmithI have other Questions dealing with this subject but they have been transferred to other Ministers. While I am not complaining of that, may I ask if there are regular Departmental meetings with a view to pooling ideas and experience in regard to air pollution in order to get co-ordinated action?
§ Mr. BevinsAs the hon. Member knows, the Gracious Speech foreshadowed legislation on this subject. That necessarily implies that consultation is going on.