§ Mr. McBrideasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the authorised strength of the Alkali Inspectorate, the actual number employed and where they are located.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsThe authorised strength has recently bee nraised to 38, of whom 36 are at present in post. Arrangements are currently proceeding to engage a further two by competition. In addition my right hon. and learned Friend is setting up four grit and dust testing teams of two officers each. Six of these officers are already in post. Information about the locations of the inspectorate, which is lengthy, is given in the Chief Alkali and Clean Air Inspector's report for 1971. The testing teams are located in Bradford, Cardiff, Leek and Stevenage.
§ Mr. McBrideasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) in how many instances local authorities have been consulted, or made party to, agreements entered into in their area of jurisdiction between the Alkali Inspectorate and industry, where the possibility of emission of toxic or odoriferous gases or other noxious substances could pollute the atmosphere in their localities;
(2) how many agreements were entered into between the Alkali Inspectorate and the chemical industry in the period 1962–72, giving the totals year by year, in relation to permitted levels of emission to the atmosphere from chemical industrial buildings of toxic or odoriferous gases or other noxious substances; and how many of these agreements were made public;
360W(3) in how many new industries, excluding the chemical industry, permitted standards of emission levels were laid down by the Alkali Inspectorate prior to commencement of production, in the period 1962–72, giving the total year by year, in respect of emissions from these new industrial premises of toxic or odoriferous gases or other noxious substances;
(4) how many agreements were entered into by the Alkali Inspectorate and industry in the United Kingdom in the period 1962–72, giving the totals year by year for permitted levels of emission to the atmosphere of toxic or noxious substances, excluding gases; and if any of these agreements were made public;
(5) how many agreements were made between the Alkali Inspectorate and industry in the United Kingdom in the period 1962–72, giving the number of such agreements year by year, covering permitted levels of toxic or odoriferous gases to the atmosphere; and if any of these agreements were made public.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsIn fulfilling its duties under the Alkali etc. Works Regulation Act 1906, the Alkali and Clean Air Inspectorate does not enter into agreements with industrialists but imposes requirements, the object of which is to ensure the installation and use of the best practicable means to prevent emissions to atmosphere and to render them harmless and inoffensive where unavoidably emitted. With regard to certain matters—for example, the effect of wind on dusty stockpiles—it is not practicable to impose emission limits, and the inspectorate requires and enforces, among other things, that every care is taken to prevent escapes 361W of dust. For a minority of works, particular point-of-emission standards are imposed in the light of individual circumstances.
In the case of most registered industries, however, it is practicable to prescribe general standards, which are then applicable to all premises where the industry is carried on; although local conditions and circumstances are always taken into account, especially in any case where a higher standard may be essential on account of the pecularities of the location. All standards are subject to continual review as the efficiency of emission control is improved. The general standards or requirements imposed for each industry or process by the inspectorate are published in the annual reports of the Chief Alkali and Clean Air Inspector. It would not, however, be practicable to give details of each individual case. At the present time the inspectorate deals with about 2,100 premises where over 3,000 registered processes are operated.
For further information I would refer the hon. Member to the chief inspector's annual reports and especially to appendix V of the report for 1966, which deals with emission standards and includes examples. Certain modifications, the effect of which has been to raise these standards, are included in later reports.
§ Mr. McBrideasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many prosecutions were authorised for infringement, by industry in the United Kingdom, of the Alkali Acts, in the years 1962–72, giving the numbers year by year.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsInformation for England and Wales is as follows:
1962 … … … … — 1963 … … … … — 1964 … … … … — 1965 … … … … — 1966 … … … … — 1967 … … … … 1 1968 … … … … 2 1969 … … … … 2 1970 … … … … 2 1971 … … … … 4 1972 … … … … 3 14 Corresponding figures for Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Northern Ireland.
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§ Mr. McBrideasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to locate a member of the Alkali Inspectorate in Swansea.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsThe needs of Swansea are adequately covered by a district alkali inspector and two alkali inspectors located at Cardiff and my right hon. and learned Friend has no plans to alter or add to these arrangements.