HC Deb 23 March 1971 vol 814 c93W
Mr. Faulds

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what legislation he intends to introduce to ensure that the industrial firms whose processes produce pollution pay for its abatement, and what machinery he envisages to enforce compliance with any such legislation.

Mr. Peter Walker

Industry already meets the cost of abatement of many forms of pollution, for example by installing the "best practicable means" of control under the Alkali etc. Works legislation. The costs of complying with the requirements of the Clean Air (Emission of Grit and Dust from Furnaces) Regulations, 1971, will have to be met by industry. In considering further measures for abating pollution I am working on the principle that the cost of abatement should fall on the originators of the pollution.