HC Deb 06 August 1975 vol 897 cc276-8W
Mrs. Bain

asked the Secretary of State for Environment what is his estimate of the likely additional costs which would result from the implementation of Section 2 of the Control of Pollution Act; and if he has yet reached a decision as to when this section of the Act will be implemented.

Mr. Denis Howell

So far as England and Wales are concerned, about £1 million a year. I would refer the hon. Member to my reply yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for Ealing, North (Mr. Molloy) and the hon. Member for Dumfries (Mr. Monro).

Mrs. Bain

asked the Secretary of State for Environment what actions are being taken to ensure that, during the period of postponement of implementation of Section 2 of the Control of Pollution Act, no threat to public health arises along the lines of recent events in the Rochdale area.

Mr. Denis Howell

Until the Control of Pollution Act 1974 is implemented the provisions of the Deposit of Poisonous Waste Act 1972 and the Public Health Acts will apply.

Mrs. Bain

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the powers available to local authorities which consider continued use of a tip accepting notifiable wastes is not in the interests of public health.

Mr. Denis Howell

If the waste disposal authority considers that an environmental hazard is being created it may prosecute under the Deposit of Poisonous Waste Act 1972. Powers to prevent

1967 1971
Number of Unfit Dwellings %of Stock of Dwellings Number of Unfit Dwellings %of Stock of Dwellings
Northern, Yorkshire & Humberside, North West 762,000 15.1 540,000 10.1
South East 338,000 6.4 231,000 4.0
East Midlands, East Anglia, South West, West Midlands, Wales 736,000 13.7 473,000 8.0
TOTAL ENGLAND AND WALES 1,836,000 11.7 1,244,000 7.3

England and Wales
1967 1971
Tenure* Number of Unfit Dwellings % of Stock of Dwellings Number of Unfit Dwellings % of Stock of Dwellings
Owner occupied … 556,000 7.0 355,000 3.9
Rented from local authorities or new towns … 72,000 1.7 58,000 1.2
Other tenures … 1,118,000 33.2 645,000 22.9
Vacant … n/a — 162,000 39.5
Closed … 90,000 79.6 24,000 100.0
ALL TENURES … 1,836,000 11.7 1,244,000 7.3
* The numbers recorded in each tenure category are not strictly comparable in the two years since vacant dwellings were separately classified in 1971 only.

further use of a site are available under the Public Health Act 1936 and the Town and Country Planning Act 1971.