§ Mr. Kirbyasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the increasing alarm of the residents of Penmaenmawr in respect to the dust-laden atmosphere in the town due to the blasting work at the quarries, such work sometimes being continued until two and three o'clock in the morning; whether he can give the House any information as to the prevalence of silicosis among the inhabitants, including children and other persons not engaged in work at the quarries; and what steps are being taken to reduce the annoyance of nightly blasting operations and deal with the disease?
§ Mr. BernaysMy right lion. Friend is aware of the allegations. He has no evidence of the prevalence of silicosis among the inhabitants, and he would not expect it, for it is an industrial disease and, moreover, it is not met with in granite quarrying. It is open to a local authority or to a private person to take proceedings under the Public Health Act, 1936, in respect of a nuisance due to avoidable emission of dust, and civil action may be taken in respect of noise. My right hon. Friend is not aware that any such steps have been taken.