HC Deb 07 February 1967 vol 740 cc1326-7
10. Mr. Longden

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what action he has most recently taken to encourage local authorities in the black areas to bring their areas under smoke control.

Mr. Mellish

The Department wrote last year to a number of authorities which had made little progress. Of these, 22 have submitted smoke control Orders since, and a further seven have been amalgamated with authorities carrying out smoke control programmes. The Department has pursued the matter with the others, and some are expected to submit Orders shortly.

More premises were included in smoke control Orders last year than in either of the two previous years.

Mr. Longden

Whilst thanking the Minister for that reply, may I ask whether he is satisfied that the Clean Air Act is having any effect whatsoever in making the air in London less filthy?

Mr. Mellish

London has a very good record in this matter. Last year we published a list of those authorities which were not complying with the request. In fact, we showed up those authorities for being black. It had a remarkable effect.