§ Q1. Mr. Dalyellasked the Prime Minister when he expects to receive the results of the inter-departmental investigation into the control of environmental pollution.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Wilson)As I said in reply to Questions from my hon. Friend and from my hon. Friend the Member for Wood Green (Mrs. Joyce Butler) on 26th June, this has recently been discussed by the Central Advisory Council for Science and Technology and the Government are now 1482 considering the matter in the light of the Council's advice.—[Vol. 785, c. 302.]
§ Mr. DalyellIs my right hon. Friend aware of the proposal of the British Society for Social Responsibility in Science that legislation should be introduced to the effect that before any chemical or insecticide is released on the market a long-term analysis of the likely effects should be made?
§ The Prime MinisterI am grateful to my hon. Friend for bringing the proposal to my attention. The Government investigation will cover the co-ordination of measures for controlling environmental pollutants, both those which are known and potential ones, as a result of commercial or other research. Different Departments will be responsible for looking at the possible effects of new materials used in medicine, veterinary medicine, pest control and other fields where there is potential danger.
§ Dr. WinstanleyIs it not apparent that man excels all other animals in his ability to foul his nest and that unless we take positive steps our descendants will be poisoned with pollutants, choked by fumes and deafened by noise before finally being smothered under mountains of waste? Is it not time that we established a Department to deal with this very important subject?
§ The Prime MinisterI am sure that even the hon. Gentleman has missed out one or two potential dangers. All these questions with regard to the marine environment, rivers and the atmosphere are being studied by the Central Advisory Council for Science and Technology.