§ 13. Mr. Greville Jannerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will hold an inquiry into the effect of polluted soil on the health of those whose homes are built upon it.
§ Mr. AlisonNo, Sir.
§ Mr. JannerIs the hon. Gentleman aware that, apart from the researches of a Dr. Pinsent of the Royal College of General Practitioners, there appears to be no information available about the long-term effects on life and health of living on toxic soil? In view of the grave public concern about pollution, will he initiate research into this important subject?
§ Mr. AlisonThe hon. and learned Gentlemen I think knows that there is a good deal of current resarch into all aspects of environmental pollution, and we are very closely into touch with the research.
§ Mr. Tom BoardmanIf my hon. Friend should have to consider this matter again, will he distinguish between objections that are put forward on genuine health grounds and objections that are put forward to prevent private housing development either because of party dogma or because it appears to change the party political pattern in a constituency?
§ Mr. AlisonI note my hon. Friend's Intervention. He will note that my Departmental Medical Adviser's advice 226 was encouraging from the point of view of housing.