HC Deb 09 December 1958 vol 597 cc26-7W
70. Mr. F. Noel-Baker

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what investigations he has made regarding complaints of unpleasant smells from Messrs. Cooper's factory at Shrivenham Road, Swindon; and with what result.

Mr. Bevins

This trade is classified as offensive under the Public Health Act, 1936, and primary responsibility rests with the Highworth Rural District Council, who have been giving close attention to the difficult problems involved. The factory is not registrable under the Alkali Act, but one of the Alkali Inspectors has visited the factory, with the Council's Public Health Inspector, and has been able to offer a number of technical suggestions. The firm are co-operating fully in trying out various measures suggested to them and are carrying out a modernisation programme. I think there is every prospect of a substantial improvement.