§ 21. Mrs. Sally Oppenheimasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he intends to take to remedy the health risk presented by the chimney of the Great Western Road Hospital in Gloucester.
§ Mr. AlisonI have no reason to believe that such a risk exists. However steps have been taken to reduce the emissions of black smoke which I believe to have given rise to local concern.
§ Mrs. OppenheimIs my hon. Friend aware that while emissions of black smoke of more than a permitted quantity have very recently been observed from these chimneys, it would appear to be almost impossible not only to prosecute a National Health Service hospital under the Clean Air Act but also to get his Department to consider itself as other than an accused proprietor, instead of as a body hearing complaints as an alternative to a criminal prosecution? Is my hon. Friend equally aware that many people find it incongruous that while 1394 one Government Department is striving to abate pollution another Government Department appears to be condoning it?
§ Mr. AlisonMy hon. Friend will be glad to hear that the local hospital authority and the Deputy Regional Engineer of the South-Western Regional Hospital Board are to meet the public health inspector this very day for further discussions.