HC Deb 03 March 1970 vol 797 cc252-4
20. Mr. David Watkins

asked the Secretary of State for Local Government and Regional Planning what progress is being made towards setting up a national body to co-ordinate efforts to control pollution of the environment.

21. Mr. Atkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Local Government and Regional Planning if he will now announce the names of the Chairman and members of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution; and if he will make a statement.

27. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Local Government and Regional Planning when he hopes to complete his negotiations for setting up a national body to co-ordinate efforts to control pollution of the environment.

The Secretary of State for Local Government and Regional Planning (Mr. Anthony Crosland)

As far as outside advice is concerned, I would refer my hon. Friends to the Prime Minister's announcement on 17th February of the membership of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution. The commission held its first meeting on 25th February. As far as co-ordination by the Government is concerned, good progress is being made with the creation of a central unit responsible directly to me.

Mr. Watkins

Is my right hon. Friend aware that by the time that the Royal Commission reports, let alone by the time that any recommendations that it makes may be enacted, thousands of tons of pollution will have been deposited on the country? Can we be assured that there will be quick action on this?

Mr. Crosland

Certainly we shall not wait for the Royal Commission to report before taking action. Action is going on continuously, as evidenced by the recent developments in terms of oil pollution, pesticides, organochlorines, and so on. My hon. Friend need have no fear that all action will await a report of the Royal Commission.

Mr. Atkinson

s: Will my right hon. Friend accept that the people appointed to serve on the Royal Commission are most distinguished but that if we are to find a solution to most pollution problems it will be found in engineering? In view of that, will he have another look at the composition of the Royal Commission with a view to appointing two further members from the ranks of our most eminent engineers?

Mr. Crosland

My hon. Friend has made a most interesting and important suggestion. I will take it into account very carefully when I come to consider either additions to or changes in the membership of the commission.

Mr. Dalyell

Is it not a fact that we are the first modern State to attempt a co-ordinated attack on the problem and that, therefore, the Government are to be congratulated on their initiative? As for the Royal Commission, is there not a case for having at least someone under 40 on it, and certainly a woman?

Mr. Crosland

I considered with the greatest possible care the question of a young man, possibly like my hon. Friend, the question of a woman, the question of an additional Welshman, the question of a Co-operator, and all the questions which are familiar to any Minister who has to appoint a commission. At the end of the day, I think that we have an extremely good commission.

My hon. Friend is right in saying that this is almost the first country, despite all the excellent, but piecemeal and fragmented work which has gone on, which has set up machinery to enable it to take an overall co-ordinated view.

Mr. Chataway

The Minister will be aware that the United States appointed such central machinery some time ago. Can he say how many scientific advisers, male or female, he has appointed so far to his Central Anti-Pollution Unit?

Mr. Crosland

The Central Anti Pollution Unit is now in course of being built up. I would not like to give a figure at this moment as people are being taken on continuously.

As for the United States, I must make it clear that, whatever the machinery, this country has been far in advance of the United States in almost every antipollution activity.

28. Mr. John Hall

asked the Secretary of State for Local Government and Regional Planning if, in view of the effect of air pollution on weather and climate, he will arrange for the Meteorological Office to publish the results of its research into this matter to date; and if he will ensure that it is laid before the Royal Commission on Environment.

Mr. Crosland

Yes, Sir. The results of current research by the Meteorological Office on these matters will be published in the normal way and will be available to the Royal Commission.