§ Mr. McBrideasked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will undertake a survey of the Llansamlet area of the constituency of the hon. Member for Swansea, East to determine to what extent acidic gases are emitted into the atmosphere there from the Swansea Vale Works of the Rio Tinto Zinc Limited, I.S.C. Chemicals, Llansamlet, Swansea;
(2) if he will now investigate the extent of the damage to plant and vegetable life, from acid burn, in the Llansamlet, Winch Wen and Bonymaen areas of the constituency of the hon. Member for Swansea, East, caused by the emission of acidic gases from the Swansea Vale Works of Rio Tinto Zinc Limited, I.S.C. Chemicals, Llansamlet, Swansea;
(3) if he will now cause an investigation to be made of the effect on bronchitic persons of the emission of acidic gases from the Swansea Vale Works of Rio Tinto Zinc Limited, I.S.C. Chemicals, Llansamlet, Swansea;
(4) if he will order an immediate examination of the effects of inhalation of acidic gas on the 500 pupils of Trallwn Primary School, Llansamlet, Swansea, in view of the evidence of Miss M. E. Chilcott, the headmistress, that the pupils have at times to be detained at playtimes and lunchtimes because they suffer paroxysms of coughing caused by these gases.
§ Mr. Peter Thomas:The Government's Alkali Inspector has visited the Imperial Smelting Chemicals' plant several times over the past three weeks following reports of unusually high emissions of sulphur dioxide. He has advised the company on immediate steps to cut down emissions. These are being implemented. The Alkali Inspector is now satisfied that the plant is operating within his requirements but will be continuing his discussions with the firm in order to secure further reduction in the level of emission.
The company has brought in a special technical team to investigate the problem in depth, including a representative from the firm's agricultural section, who is examining vegetation in the area. I understand that the local authority is also looking into the effects on vegetation. I have asked the medical officer of health 8W for the area to investigate the reports of schoolchildren being affected by the emissions. I have received no reports of any aggravation of bronchitic conditions as a result of the incident but the local medical officer of health is making inquiries with doctors practising in the area of the works.
§ Mr. McBrideasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will consider, as a special case, the ranking for provision of grant, within the improvement grant provisions for housing, of reimbursement for the cost of roof repairs in the Llansamlet area of the constituency of the hon. Member for Swansea, East, where such repairs are caused by the deterioration of galvanised holding-down nails in slates and tiles, caused by the emission of acidic gases to the atmosphere at Llansamlet, Swansea.
§ Mr. Peter Thomas:It is for the local authority to determine, in relation to the provisions of the Housing Act, 1969, what items can properly rank for grant. I hold out no prospect of an extension of the grant provisions to cover repairs of this sort carried out on their own.