HC Deb 20 December 1960 vol 632 c1051
26. Sir H. Oakshott

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what representations he has received regarding damage to clothing and ill-effects on health resulting from dust containing sulphuric acid believed to have emanated from the power station at Bromborough, Cheshire; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent this pollution of the atmosphere.

Sir K. Joseph

A number of representations have been made to my right hon. Friend about the effects of acid smut emissions from this power station. The frequency of this type of emission at oil-fired power stations has been considerably reduced since power stations were brought under the Alkali Act in 1958, but the problem has not yet been fully solved. The Alkali Inspectorate is treating research and experiment in this field as a matter of importance and urgency.

Sir H. Oakshott

While I gladly acknowledge the efforts of the Alkali Inspectorate and of the officers of the Generating Board, nevertheless may I ask my hon. Friend to impress upon all concerned the necessity for finding a remedy for what is a serious and irritating nuisance to people who live near this power station?

Sir K. Joseph

I accept that and I assure my hon. Friend that research is being pressed on with by several teams all the time.