§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what warnings he has issued in relation to tropospheric ozone levels, nitrogen oxide and other noxious gases concentrations in the atmosphere in(a) Cardiff and (b) elsewhere in Wales over the past three years; what provision he has made to inform asthmatics, bronchitics, children and pregnant women of smog risks during days of high concentrations of pollution; what arrangements he has made for requests to reduce the use of cars in cities at such times of high concentrations; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what consultations he has had with the South Glamorgan health authority in relation to the issuing of warnings to relevant vulnerable groups concerning concentrations of pollution above World Health Organisation maximum safety levels in Cardiff.
§ Mr. Redwood[holding answer 11 January 1994]: The Department of the Environment operates a United Kingdom-wide public information service on air quality. Under those arrangements, air pollution information is sent, free of charge, to the BBC, ITN, the Press Association and all national newspapers which receive the Met Office forecasts. A freephone air quality and health advice information line and bulletins for CEEFAX and TELETEXT forms part of this system. The information released includes, in times of poor air quality, advice on what individuals can do to help reduce pollution, for example by cutting down on car usage. Advice on what asthma sufferers and others can do to minimise any health effects is also provided.
When air quality is expected to be poor the Department of the Environment also issues warnings of this via specific press notices: this has happened on two occasions in the last three years, on 20 December 1991 and 1 July 1994. In view of those arrangements, no specific consultation has been considered necessary on this matter with South Glamorgan health authority.