Lords Sitting of 6 February 1951

Preamble
The House met at half past two of the clock, The LORD CHANCELLOR on the Woolsack.
Prayers
2.35 p.m.
LLOYD'S BILL [H.L.]
Read 2a, and referred to the Examiners.
OXFORD MOTOR SERVICES BILL [H.L.]
Read 2a, and referred to the Examiners.
SUNDERLAND CORPORATION BILL [H.L.]
Read 2a.
SWINDON CORPORATION BILL [H.L.]
Read 2a.

FORESTRY BILL [H.L.]
2.37 p.m.
THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES (THE EARL OF LISTOWEL): My Lords, I beg leave to introduce a Bill to provide for the maintenance of reserves of growing trees in Great Britain and to regulate the felling of trees; to amend the procedure applicable to compulsory purchase orders under the Forestry Act, 1945; and for purposes connected with the matters aforesaid. I move that this Bill be read a first time.
Moved, That the Bill be now read 1a.—(The Earl of Listowel.)
On Question, Bill read la; and to be printed.

BATTERSEA POWER STATION EMISSIONS
2.38 p.m.
LORD DOUGLAS OF BARLOCH: My Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
[The Question was as follows:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether their attention has been called
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to serious nuisance and damage caused by the emission of smoke and grit from Battersea Power Station, the amount of grit deposited in the immediate vicinity being at times of the order of 400 tons per square mile per day; and what steps are being taken to remedy this evil.]
THE PAYMASTER-GENERAL, (LORD MACDONALD OF GWAENYSGOR): My Lords, the position at Battersea is constantly under review, and the Chief Alkali Inspector of the Ministry of Local Government and Planning has visited the Station from time to time and will do so again in the very near future. The noble Lord will be informed of the outcome of this visit.
LORD DOUGLAS OF BARLOCH: My Lords, will my noble friend bear in mind that this Station is very close to Battersea Park and to the Festival Pleasure Gardens, and also that when the building of the Station was originally proposed opposition was made by the local authorities on account of the anticipated nuisance? That opposition was, withdrawn only upon the Electricity Commissioners obtaining an undertaking from the London Power Company that the best practical means of arresting smoke and grit would be adopted. Surely that undertaking should be observed now that the enterprise is in public ownership.
LORD MACDONALD OF GWAENYSGOR: My Lords, I can assure the noble Lord that all the relevant facts will be kept in mind and also all past undertakings.
LORD FARINGDON: My Lords, arising out of that answer, I should like to ask whether the noble Lord considers that local authorities have adequate powers for dealing with this particular type of nuisance. There are, of course, other offenders in the city of London. I am a trustee of one of the national Collections, and we suffer constantly from the smoke from neighbouring flat buildings. It appears that the owners of such buildings are quite content to pay the fines and continue to repeat the offences. I would ask whether His Majesty's Government will consider whether in this matter it is not necessary that more strenuous powers should be given to local authorities.
LORD MACDONALD OF GWAENYSGOR: If the noble Lord will give me particulars of the cases he has mentioned, I promise that the same consideration shall be given to them as I have just promised to give to the Battersea case.

FESTIVAL OF BRITAIN (SUNDAY OPENING) BILL
Read 3a (according to Order), with the Amendment, and passed, and returned to the Commons.
House adjourned at eighteen minutes before three o'clock.