§ 30. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will make a statement on the implementation of the Clean Air Act up to the present moment; what is his estimate of the further action required to make the Act fully effective; to what extent local authorities are collaborating to enforce the provisions of the Act; and how far such proposals are hampered by shortage of supplies of smokeless fuels.
§ Sir K. JosephThe main need is for more smoke control areas in the worst polluted parts of England and Wales. My right hon. Friend has not found it necessary to defer, because of shortage of smokeless fuels, any proposals made to him.
§ 31. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs on what dates he received the documents relating to clean air sent to him by the Coal Merchants Federation and the Manchester and Stoke areas; and what advice he gave in his replies to ensure the application of his clean air policy.
§ Sir K. JosephMy right hon. Friend first heard of these early in February, and on 16th March he told the Coal Merchants Federation in discussion that they seemed to him very undesirable. He heard about them from Manchester on 17th March, and has told them that he has made representations to the Federation; he has not heard from Stoke.