§ Mr. Wadeasked the Minister of Health whether he is now in a position to make a statement as to the results of the investigation into samples of fog taken during January last.
§ Mr. BevinsI have been asked to reply, as representing the Lord President of the Council.
Under the aegis of the Fuel Research Station of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, about 3,000 measurements of air pollution were made throughout the day and night during the fog, from 4th to 7th January last, in the areas of London, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Salford and Sheffield. The results showed great variations in pollution by smoke, sulphur and compounds and carbon monoxide from hour to hour and point to point.
In the London area the averages of the results for pollution by smoke and by sulphur dioxide were about three quarters of the averages during the severe fog of December, 1952, and between three and four times the concentrations in normal winter weather. The average concentrations of smoke and sulphur dioxide in the other areas of investigation were about the same as in the London area.
The concentrations of carbon monoxide in the several areas were not much greater than in normal winter weather.
The observations were made by more than 500 volunteers, including many from the Civil Defence Corps, and I should like to take this opportunity of thanking them for their work.