§ 1. Mr. Hannanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many smokeless zones have been established since the passing of the Clean Air Bill.
§ The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. J. Nixon Browne)None, Sir, but three local authorities have submitted to my right hon. Friend their preliminary proposals for the establishment of four smoke control areas under the Clean Air Act and he has approved these proposals in principle. Five other local authorities have notified their intention of setting up such areas.
§ Mr. HannanAs this is most unsatisfactory, will the hon. Gentleman tell the House what steps he has taken to encourage the public, industry and local authorities to set up these smokeless zones because of the relationship between smoke and the increase in the incidence of cancer?
§ Mr. BrowneMy right hon. Friend sent out last year a memorandum on procedure to all local authorities. As the hon. Member will realise, surveys are now 866 being carried out in a very large number of areas and these surveys are bound to take time.