§ 5. Mr. E. Taylorasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what percentage of industrial towns in Lancashire have made smoke control orders; and whether he is satisfied with the progress so far made in implementing the provisions of the Clean Air Act.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (Sir Keith Joseph)There is no accepted definition of any industrial town. In Lancashire 36 per cent. of all urban authorities and 49 per cent. of black area 1103 urban authorities have made orders. Generally speaking, quite a good start has been made, but my right hon. Friend would like to see all black area authorities making full and vigorous use of their powers.
§ Mr. TaylorIn view of the tremendous advantages gained from the drive against atmospheric pollution, will the hon. Gentleman please tell me if he contemplates taking action against backward authorities which are slow to make this progress?
§ Sir K. JosephOnly persuasion and publicity are in the mind of my right hon. Friend. It is fair to realise that in this region generally 80 per cent. of the black area authorities have submitted smoke control programmes and all but three of those have a target date before 1981.
§ Mr. Maurice MacmillanIs my hon. Friend aware that for some time there has been great concern in the West Riding of Yorkshire and that an interesting pamphlet on this subject was published by the hon. Member for Halifax in the 1880s.
§ Mr. Ellis SmithIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the Trafford Park area and the Lancashire area are the worst areas in the country? Will he ask his regional officers to give special attention to the area referred to by his hon. Friend?
§ Sir K. JosephMy right hon. Friend welcomes all this evidence of interest and would hope that hon. Members will bring these representations to the notice of their local authorities as well.