HC Deb 17 February 1971 vol 811 c453W
57. Mrs. Kellett

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the progress to date of his review of the effects of all forms of pollution; whether any priorities for future action have yet been established; and what further assistance he proposes giving to local authorities faced with expenditure to relieve pollution.

Mr. Peter Walker

I have already announced certain decisions concerning the size of lorries, the planning controls over discharges from potash workings, new regulations concerning the discharge of grit and dust from furnaces, new regulations concerning noise and fumes from vehicles. I have also refused planning permission to expand an airport on the grounds of noise nuisance, and I have taken measures to help retain as many clean air zones as possible following the shortage of smokeless fuel that we inherited last June. I am currently reviewing the whole question of pollution of rivers and seas, and ways in which we can accelerate the policies designed towards obtaining clean air.

In the last rate support grant negotiations substantially increased allowance was made for various environmental activities of local authorities.