§ Mr. Steeleasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the reasons for the delay in confirming the Smoke Control Area Order submitted by Dumbarton Town Council; and if he will now state when it will be confirmed.
§ Mr. MaclayThis Order gave rise to a number of objections which made it desirable for special investigations to be carried out by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and the Clean Air Council for Scotland. These investigations have unavoidably taken time and it has, of course, been necessary also to allow the parties concerned an opportunity of commenting on the results. Comments on the results of the last of these are now being sought, and when they are received I hope to be in a position to reach an early decision on the Order.