HC Deb 23 July 1968 vol 769 cc246-7
15. Mr. Murray

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what instructions have been given to the Alkali Inspectorate regarding co-operation with local authorities; whether he is satisfied that local authorities are sufficiently aware of the advisory services available to them; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Greenwood

Co-operation between the Alkali Inspectorate and local authorities is most important. Alkali inspectors make two visits annually to each local authority whose area includes works registered under the Alkali Act. They visit on request any authority seeking advice upon an air pollution problem outside the scope of the Act. I have no reason to suppose that local authorities who need the Inspectors' services are unaware of them, but I will glady investigate any cases my hon. Friend has in mind.

Mr. Murray

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply, but will he give much greater publicity to these services? Is he aware that, although local authorities might not always complain, residents around places like cement works face great difficulty and discomfort because of the fall-out?

Mr. Greenwood

I sympathise with the point put by my hon. Friend. But, of course, residents ought really to bring pressure on their local authorities. In relation to the publicity angle, I am happy to be able to tell my hon. Friend that the Chief Inspector's Report for 1967 has been laid before the House today. I hope that it will be studied by hon. Members and will receive adequate publicity in the Press.

Mr. Julius Silvennan

Does my right hon. Friend accept that there is a good deal of conflict as well as overlapping between the work of these two authorities? Will he consider introducing legislation in the near future to put the work of smoke control and the control of alkali emission under one authority, either the local authority or some other?

Mr. Greenwood

My hon. Friend has wide experience of these matters. If he will give me information about the overlapping to which he refers and the difficulties to which he believes this gives rise, I will gladly look into the point.