HC Deb 20 April 1964 vol 693 cc137-8W
Dr. A. Thompson

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what investigations have been carried out into the effects of oil pollution in the atmosphere and into the need for bringing oil-firing appliances under the Clear Air Act; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Corfield

The effects of the air pollution that may be caused by burning oil are not different in character from those that may be caused by burning coal and separate investigation of these effects as a whole has not been found necessary. The steps taken to investigate and deal with acid soot formation in oil-fired power stations were described in the 1962 Report of the Chief Alkali Inspector for England and Wales. The oil industry has investigated acid soot formation in smaller oil-fired installations and has evolved methods to deal with it there. The relevant provisions of the Clean Air Act already apply to oil-fired appliances.