§ 75. Mr. Dugdaleasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that in some districts the discharge of fluorine compounds from industrial furnaces results in much suffering among cattle and reduces agricultural productivity; and whether he will institute research to devise means of eliminating fluorides from smoke where necessary.
§ Mr. GodberThe discharge of fluorine compounds from industrial undertakings can cause some difficulty to certain kinds of agricultural production in the immediate area of the plants responsible for the emissions. My Ministry has carried out surveys in various parts of the country into the degree of contamination connected with different industries and where necessary we advise farmers on ways of alleviating the problem. I understand that industrial research into this form of air pollution is being co-ordinated by the Alkali Inspectorate appointed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government.