HC Deb 24 June 1969 vol 785 cc1207-8
26. Mr. Hunt

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will seek to amend the Clean Air Act 1956 to cover the emission of diesel fumes.

Mr. Greenwood

Emissions from vehicle exhausts are already dealt with under the Road Traffic Acts, under which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport has appropriate powers and duties, and I do not think that any amendment of the Clean Air Act in this respect is appropriate.

Mr. Hunt

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that diesel fumes, particularly from heavy vehicles, represent a growing hazard to life? Is he aware in particular that residents living near Bromley bus garage are being subjected to intolerable nuisance from the emission of these fumes and have been told that they have no redress in law against the negligence and indifference of London Transport in this matter? Can he do nothing to help?

Mr. Greenwood

I will look into that case, if the hon. Gentleman will let me have the information, and pass it to my right hon. Friend who would more appropriately deal with it. The Clean Air Council discussed this with the Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport in February and made no recommendation about legislation following that discussion.

Sir G. Nabarro

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research has had this problem before it for eight years and has not brought forward any constructive recommendation for its solution? Is he further aware that the very great increase in the number of motor vehicles on our roads and the emission from exhausts are negativing practically the whole benefit derived from the original Clean Air Act?

Mr. Greenwood

Characteristically, the hon. Gentleman has highlighted one of the difficulties in this matter, and that is the absence of absolutely conclusive evidence.

Mr. Ellis

How many prosecutions have there been under the Act? Does not my right hon. Friend agree that much needs to be done in the enforcement of the Act? Will he confer with the Home Secretary with a view to doing this?

Mr. Greenwood

I think that is probably a matter for my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary but I will do my best to see that my hon. Friend gets the information he asks for.