HC Deb 03 March 1959 vol 601 cc177-8
4. Mr. H. Wilson

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs, in view of the fact that the Prescot Urban District Council has been informed that it has no powers, under the Clean Air Act or otherwise, to deal with the problem of noxious fumes emitted from a local factory, what Departmental action he proposes to take in the matter.

Mr. H. Brooke

The problems at this factory involve certain processes now registered under the Alkali Act, as regards which the alkali inspectors are responsible, and also certain unregistered processes, as regards which the council is responsible under the Clean Air Act. I can assure the right hon. Gentleman that every effort will be made to secure a reduction in air pollution from the registered processes, though there are technical difficulties which cannot be quickly overcome. The district alkali inspector, recently paid a visit to the factory in company with the council's chief public health inspector, and will be prepared to assist with his informal advice as to the unregistered processes if the council wishes.

Mr. Wilson

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Prime Minister, when Minister of Housing and Local Government five years ago, gave me a precisely similar Answer, except that he said on that occasion that the council had all the powers necessary to cope with this nuisance? Further, is he aware that over those five years householders in the area—I can send him evidence of this—have had to face a situation in which nothing will grow in their gardens, privet hedges have died, washing put out has turned green as a result of these fumes and there is corrosion of all metal properties? Will the Minister take some urgent action in view of the failure of the Government over the last five years to do anything about this nuisance?

Mr. Brooke

There has been no failure of the Government. Until 1st July last year my Alkali Inspectorate had no powers to deal with this matter but, since then, we have had powers over certain of the processes and we have been working in close co-operation with local authorities. I can assure the right hon. Member that I take this matter very seriously. These copper processes are difficult to control and technical problems are involved which cannot be solved easily.