31. Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the Minister of Technology if he will now make a statement on the discussions between the Central Electricity Generating Board and interested parties on the pollution of the Thames and the experimental suspension of gas washing in relation to the conditions imposed on the power station in 1927 and 1937.
Mr. Alan WilliamsThe Central Electricity Generating Board recently put a proposal to my right hon. Friend to dis 28 continue flue gas washing at Battersea "B" generating station for an experimental period of two years, and this is being considered. Meantime a temporary suspension is in operation to deal with emergency conditions in the Thames.
Mr. Gresham CookeWill the hon. Gentleman ask his right hon. Friend to bear in mind that the gas washing at Battersea Power Station adds to the pollution of the Thames and that the regulations under which the gas washing takes place date back as far as 1926, so that it would now be appropriate, 40 years later, to examine the situation and try to get new regulations to prevent pollution of the Thames and to lay down rules for gas washing?