§ Mr. Fauldsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to deal with the waste caused by the processes of corrosion which costs over £1,000 million annually.
§ Mr. Denis HowellThe air pollutant, sulphur dioxide, is a recognised corrosive agent for metals and other materials, The concentration of sulphur dioxide in the air in urban areas has been reduced by about 60 per cent. since the early 1960s, largely due to the effect of the Clean Air Acts. This downward trend is expected to continue in the future but not necessarily at the same rate. In addition, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry has established a committee on corrosion to advise him on ways in which the burden on the economy caused by corrosion could be reduced. The committee advises on measures to make industry more aware of corrosion problems and the means by which corrosion might be alleviated. As part of the programme pursued on its recommendation, a National Corrosion Service has been established at the National Physical Laboratory and a corrosion-prevention directory has been published.