§ LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTONMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are satisfied that the Alkali and Clean Air Inspectorate are enforcing the provisions of the Clean Air Act to the full extent of their powers.
§ LORD GARNSWORTHYMy Lords, Her Majesty's Alkali and Clean Air Inspectorate have clone excellent work in reducing emissions into the atmosphere from premises registered under the Alkali Act. The noble Lord will appreciate that the Inspectorate is not responsible for enforcing the Clean Air Acts. This is the responsibility of local authorities. The Government recognise that there is real public anxiety about the control of air pollution and for this reason my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for the Environment intends to invite the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution to undertake a thorough review of the methods of controlling air pollution. This review will cover the air pollution responsibilities of both the Alkali Inspectorate and the local authorities.
§ LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTONMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for his full Answer, may I ask him whether he is aware that it has been a fairly open secret that the Alkali Inspectorate, whose duty I think it is to draw the attention of local authorities to any non-observance of the Clean Air Act, have been markedly reluctant in dealing with such bodies as the Central Electricity Generating Board? Of course, I should emphasise that I am now talking about the past.
§ LORD GARNSWORTHYMy Lords, I am quite certain that the review to which I have referred will cover the point raised by the noble Lord.
§ LORD WYNNE-JONESMy Lords, will my noble friend confirm that the present Government will take a considerable interest in pollution caused by lead 1540 in the air, in contrast to what was done by the previous Government?
§ LORD GARNSWORTHYYes, my Lords.