Mr. Fred Evansasked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) whether he will cause inquiries to be made into the hazards to public health which may exist at Nantgarw owing to air pollution caused by the operations of the National Coal Board at Nantgarw Colliery;
(2) whether he will publish the reports of the Alkali Inspectorate on the degree of air pollution at Nantgarw caused by the operations of the National Coal Board at Nantgarw Colliery; and whether he will make a statement on the reports;
(3) what powers are conferred on the Alkali Inspectorate under his regulations to compel the National Coal Board to abate the degree of air pollution caused 239W by the operations of the Board at Nantgarw Colliery.
§ Mr. George ThomasThe powers conferred on the Alkali Inspectorate are designed to ensure that works registered under the Alkali etc., Works Regulation Act, 1906, use the best practical means for preventing the discharge of noxious and offensive gases to the atmosphere and render such gases, where discharged, inoffensive. Individual reports by district alkali inspectors are confidential to the chief alkali inspector and to Ministers. The chief alkali inspector makes a report annually to the Minister of Housing and Local Government, and to me, of the action taken by himself and his staff under the Act. This report is laid before both Houses of Parliament and is subsequently published. Arrangements are being made for the Alkali Inspectorate, together with my officials, to discuss the problem at Nantgarw with representaives of Caerphilly Urban District Council.