HC Deb 11 March 1968 vol 760 cc962-3
34. Miss Harvie Anderson

asked the Minister of Building and Works what is his policy regarding the control of dark smoke on building sites on which contracts let by his Department are being carried out; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Mellish

My Department's contractors are required to take all reasonable precautions to prevent nuisance or inconvenience to adjoining owners and occupiers or to the public generally. My superintending officers have powers under our contracts to require contractors to take action that will abate nuisances. If the hon. Member has any particular case in mind, I shall be pleased to investigate it.

Miss Harvie Anderson

Bearing in mind the proposals in the Clean Air Bill, which I strongly support, will the right hon. Gentleman strongly urge his right hon. Friend to permit the burning of diseased timbers, in particular, and other rubbish, on sites because, especially in areas such as Glasgow, with their new development schemes, it is impossible to have infected material carried through the city?

Mr. Mellish

I give the hon. Lady an assurance that I will have discussions on the matter with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government.

Mr. J. T. Price

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, while I share the point of view expressed in the Question, it should not be assumed by the House that dark smoke is the only smoke which can cause danger to health? A great deal of invisible smoke, sulphur dioxide, and other materials, which are being emitted in vast quantities by industrial plant, is far worse a hazard to health than the dark smoke previously coming from bituminous coal.

Mr. Mellish

I was at one time Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government and associated with the Clean Air Committee. My hon. Friend is right. The other dangerous element is exhaust from cars.