HC Deb 18 July 1963 vol 681 cc697-8
5. Mr. Swingler

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what action he proposes to take on the petition referred to him from citizens in Newcastle-under-Lyme concerning the nuisances of noise, dust, smoke, smell, and road damage in Orford Street and West Street, Porthill, Newcastle-under-Lyme; and, since some of this area will be required for road schemes in the future, if he will consult the Minister of Transport about ways and means of stopping avoidable nuisances.

Mr. Corfield

I understand from the Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council that there is no evidence of any statutory nuisance against which it would be possible to take action under the Public Health Act, 1936.

The hon. Member will already be aware from the reply to his Question yesterday that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport is looking into his side of the matter.

Mr. Swingler

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that there is evidence of genuine nuisance having existed in this area for a long time on account of the anomalous fact that this noisy industrial works is sited slap in the middle of a residential area? Would he not, therefore, assist his right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport, who has now become the landlord of this site, to hasten the removal of this works from a residential area as rapidly as possible?

Mr. Corfield

I will certainly co-operate with my right hon. Friend as much as we always do, but there is no direct power by which I can help the hon. Member.