§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made in locating the cause, or causes, of the intermittent atmospheric pollution above Canvey Island and Ben-fleet which caused sickness and inconvenience to large numbers of residents last summer; whether any action has been taken with regard to the offenders; and what improvements have been made in monitoring devices and procedures.
§ Mr. MarksThe investigations I described in my answer of 11th January to the hon. Gentleman are continuing. The odour complained of seems to be associated with refineries in the area but its262W precise source has still to be found. Monitoring is difficult because of the transient nature of the odour, but the most sophisticated analytical equipment is in use. Industrialists in the area are co-operating fully with the control authorities. As I undertook in my earlier answer to the hon. Gentleman in January, we shall keep him informed of developments.