HC Deb 28 July 1983 vol 46 cc559-60W
Mr. Beith

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many places in the United Kingdom have air pollution levels exceeding European Community limits; by what amount Lynemouth, Northumberland, exceeds these limits; to what he attributes the high level of pollution recorded there; what advice he has given to Castle Morpeth borough council about remedial action; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Waldegrave

Measurements taken in the winters of 1981–82 and 1982–83 indicated that the directive's limits were exceeded in parts of 29 local authority areas. For 10 days in 1982–83 Lynemouth exceeded that limit for smoke in air which is not to be exceeded for more than seven days in a year. The level of pollution there is mainly attributable to domestic smoke. Officials from the Department and the Department of Industry's Warren Spring laboratory recently visited Castle Morpeth borough council and recommended that a smoke control regime should be introduced in Lynemouth as soon as possible.