HC Deb 14 November 1967 vol 754 cc207-8
22. Mrs. Joyce Butler

asked the Minister of Technology if he proposes that the Harwell five-year research programme on air pollution shall issue interim reports on particular aspects of the problem; and if he will make a statement.

Dr. Bray

The work at Harwell will be reported regularly to the Interdepartmental Committee on Air Pollution Research whose advice is available to the Clean Air Council. The results of work at Harwell will be published in appropriate journals.

Mrs. Butler

Since we have been told many times that further research is needed before action can be taken on the problems of carbon monoxide which is discharged into the atmosphere at the rate of 80,000 tons a year from diesel vehicles, can he give the House an assurance that as soon as research on the subject is at a stage when action can be taken it will be published and that discussions will take place with the Ministry of Transport to bring in Regulations about it?

Dr. Bray

The matters affecting transport are for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport, but I would assure my hon. Friend that there is complete freedom of publication in this sphere of activity and that there is active work going on both on carbon monoxide contamination and on sulphur contamination.