§ Q2. Mr. Liptonasked the Prime Minister what action he is taking to co-ordinate and accelerate the efforts of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Housing and Local Government and the Ministry of Transport to decontaminate the Smarden area of Kent.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Departments concerned have acted together throughout and disposal of the source of contamination is going ahead as fast as possible.
§ Mr. Lipton:Is this also an example of controlled movement, or controlled progress forward? Is the Prime Minister aware that this clearance will take an awfully long time? Why does he not spend a little more time supervising the dilatory action of his colleagues, instead of going round the country trying to create an image for pure party political purposes?
§ The Prime MinisterMy whole purpose in going round the country is to eliminate contamination.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I have a little difficulty in making myself heard. I called Mr. John Wells.
Mr. J. WellsIs my right hon. Friend aware that most people in Kent are well satisfied with the progress that is being made in this matter, and that the hon. Member for Brixton (Mr. Lipton) makes himself ridiculous by raising these questions with my right hon. Friend?
§ The Prime MinisterI think that whole process will be completed by mid-April.
§ Mr. ShinwellWhen the right hon. Gentleman referred to his desire to go round the country in order to eliminate contamination, had he in mind what happened prior to his election as Prime Minister?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir, not in particular.