§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will take further steps to reduce pollution, in view of the evidence provided by the Atomic Energy Authority, a copy of which is in his possession, that the effect of car fumes and chemicals from industrial chimneys in creating smog conditions is happening faster than anticipated.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsThe evidence in my possession does not support the hon. Member's suggestion. The position is as explained in my answer to the hon. Member for St. Helens (Mr. Spriggs) on 8th March, and was further described in my speech during the Adjournment debate of 21st March. No further steps are needed at present, but research is continuing and the situation is being carefully watched.—[Vol. 832, c. 1437–8; Vol. 833, c. 1466–70.]
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will institute a study of the effects of 91W siting industrial emitters of pollution in coastal and estuarine conditions, in view of the fact that the severity and persistence of fogs are related to high concentrations of pollutants trapped in upper layers of air.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsThe connection between industrial emissions and fog has been studied both by international organisations and by various groups in this country, but no very helpful results have yet emerged. The Atomic Energy Research Establishment is continuing general research on the subject and in particular its final report on Teesside, where I have been impressed by the progress made, is expected shortly. I am satisfied that this difficult problem is being adequately examined and that nothing more would be achieved by instituting a fresh study.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will institute a study of the extent to which pollution is created by sulphur dioxide being taken up by plants, and re-emitted as hydrogen sulphide, and of the connection between pollution in the Teesside area and acid rain observed in Scandinavia.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsResearch is already being undertaken by the Department of Trade and Industry's Warren Spring Laboratory on sulphur compounds in the air and by the Atomic Energy Research Establishment on the uptake of sulphur compounds by plants, including the possibility of their conversion to hydrogen sulphide, and on the deposition of sulphur compounds in the soil. These studies will be related to an OECD study in which the United Kingdom is participating on the relationship between sulphur dioxide emissions in Western Europe and the acidity of rainfull in Scandinavia.