§ 42. Mr. Nabarroasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government, having regard to the association between lung cancer and atmospheric pollution, what steps he now proposes to take to expedite establishment of smoke control areas within Ministerial clean air policy.
§ Mr. H. BrookeWe cannot say more than that atmospheric pollution is a possible contributory cause of lung cancer. Within the first six months of operation of the Clean Air Act, 1956, about thirty local authorities have informed me of their proposals for smoke control areas, and I know that many more 883 authorities have plans for such areas. This is good progress. I shall give every possible assistance to local authorities in establishing smoke control areas, for my object is to implement the clean air policy as quickly as is practicable.
§ Mr. NabarroMay I at once dissent from my right hon. Friend's suggestion that the figures he has given represent good progress? Is it not a fact that thirty local authorities out of 1,500 represent about 2 per cent. of the whole, and can my right hon. Friend say whether what I regard as a very slow rate of progress in this matter is being brought about by the reluctance of the National Coal Board and others to provide adequate supplies of suitable solid smokeless fuels at prices which the public can afford to pay?
§ Mr. BrookeI would remind my hon. Friend that it was the Beaver Committee itself which thought that it would take fifteen years before some 7 million dwellings in the black areas were included in smoke control areas. I think that we are making a good start. The Clean Air Council, the formation of which I announced to the House the other day, is holding its first meeting next week, and I look forward to getting valuable advice from that body.