§ 22. Mr. Storeyasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what decision he has taken upon the inspector's report upon the public inquiry into the application of Petrochemicals, Limited, for planning permission to erect a 300-feet chimney at Partington.
§ Mr. BevinsThe application raises difficult issues, which my right hon. Friend is still considering. He will reach his decision as soon as he can, and I will let my hon. Friend know when he does so.
§ Mr. StoreyIs my hon. Friend aware that the overwhelming medical opinion in the district is against this chimney, as it will throw out large quantities of sulphur dioxide over a residential area that is already suffering from severe atmospheric 186 pollution? If he does agree to the putting up of this chimney, will he—in view of the somewhat surprising statement he made earlier this afternoon that he has ample powers to deal with sulphur dioxide—give an assurance that those powers will be used to the full?
§ Mr. BevinsThe main issue here is whether this boiler plant and chimney, which is likely to discharge about 36 tons of sulphur dioxide a day, should be built in an area already badly polluted. The report now before my right hon. Friend deals with such considerations, and, of course, the alternative possibility that the sulphur should be removed by gas washing. I assure my hon. Friend that all those considerations will be taken into account.