HC Deb 25 July 1978 vol 954 cc665-6W
Mr. Faulds

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will issue guidance to local authorities to the effect that they have specific powers under section 20 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 with respect to the provision and cleanliness of sanitary appliances in cafes and request them to use these powers to the full, in the light of recent reports of bad conditions in public lavatories in cafes reported in a survey conducted by the Automobile Association.

Mr. Guy Barnett

The attention of local authorities has already been drawn to the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 in the Department's Circular 9/77, issued on 31st January 1977, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friend. My right hon. Friend has no plans at present to issue guidance to local authorities about the powers available to them under section 20 of the 1976 Act.

Mr. Faulds

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will issue guidance to public health authorities to the effect that they are required under the Public Health Act 1936 to deal with any premises which are a nuisance or in a state prejudicial to health, in the light of recent reports of bad conditions in public lavatories in garages and filling stations reported in a survey conducted by the Automobile Association.

Mr. Guy Barnett

My right hon. Friend has no plans at present to issue guidance to public health authorities about the powers available to them under the Public Health Act 1936.