HC Deb 29 March 1972 vol 834 cc408-10
9. Mr. David Clark

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the Second Report of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution.

Mr. Peter Walker

I did so on 7th March.

Mr. Clark

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that many people feel grave disappointment at the fact that the second report of this commission on such a vital and important matter, issued 12 months after the first, contained only eight pages? Is he assured that sufficient back-up staff, with scientific and technical expertise, is available to the commission?

Mr. Walker

Sir Eric Ashby is chairman of the commission and whenever he requires further assistance he contacts the Department and has never been refused. This is a good commission. It was appointed by the Labour Government. While the second report came out 12 months after the first one, a great deal of work is going on by the commission all the time which will be the subject of other reports.

11. Mr. Peter Archer

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to receive the next report of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution.

Mr. Peter Walker

I understand from the Royal Commission that it hopes to publish a report later this year on its study of the pollution of estuaries and coastal waters.

Mr. Archer

Will the right hon. Gentleman take the opportunity to reinforce clearly the point he made a moment ago to my hon. Friend the Member for Colne Valley (Mr. David Clark) that the second report does not represent a full 12 months' work by the commission, which has done a great deal of additional work? Nevertheless, since there is so much to be done so quickly, will he ensure that it has all available resources to get on with it?

Mr. Walker

Whenever the commission has approached me for resources they have been forthcoming. We work in close harmony with it and we will be pleased to provide any further resources it requires.