§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether health authorities will be liable to prosecution if they do not conform with new controls on emission expected to come into force next year.
§ Mrs. CurrieYes.
§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will name the seven health authorities which, in the last 12 months, did not comply with statutory standards on emission to the atmosphere and the operation and maintenance of hospital incinerators and because the matter could not be resolved locally were referred to the regional health authorities; what action was taken by his Department to find out whether or not the health authorities did eventually comply with the statutory requirement; and how many such references were made to the regional health authorities in each of the last five years.
§ Mrs. CurrieReferrals were made about incinerators operated by the Bloomsbury, Cambridge, Leicester, Liverpool, North West Hertfordshire, Parkside and Sheffield district health authorities. The Department is monitoring the outcome of the regional health authorities' intervention; in some cases remedies are still under 191W consideration. Full details of past referrals are not readily available, but we estimate they have averaged three or four per annum over the last five years.
§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he intends to permit the prosecution of health authorities which do not meet the requirements of the Clean Air Act 1956; and if there are any plans to repeal section 22 of this Act.
§ Mrs. CurrieNo, because all referrals to the Department under section 22 of the Clean air Act are thoroughly investigated and, if health authorities are not Crown immune from the planned new controls on emissions, they will become liable to enforcement of these controls.