§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what effect the transfer of inspections of (a) iron foundries with an aggregate melting capacity in excess of seven tonnes per hour, (b) works in which lead is used in any manufacturing process, (c) bulk chemical storage works, (d) works in which asbestos is used in any process, (e) chemical incineration works and (f) certain tar and bitumen works from local government to the Alkali and Clean Air Inspectorate is likely to have on the size of central Government;
(2) on what grounds he proposes to transfer control of (a) works in which lead is used in any manufacturing process, (b) bulk chemical storage works, (c) works in which asbestos is used in any process, (d) chemical incineration works and (e) certain tar and bitumen works from local government to the Alkali and Clean Air Inspectorate; and whether this is likely to lead to dual inspection by the local authority and alkali and clean air inspectors;
711W(3) on what grounds he proposes to transfer the control of iron foundries with an aggregate melting capacity in excess of seven tonnes per hour in the West Midlands from local authorities to the Alkali and Clean Air Inspectorate; and whether this is likely to lead to dual inspection by the local authority and alkali and clean air inspectors.
§ Mr. FoxThe proposals for the transfer of control in relation to air pollution, of the categories of works to which the hon. Member refers, were included in a consultative document issued recently by the Health and Safety Commission. I cannot comment on the particular points raised by the hon. Member on control and manpower until after my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State, the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Secretary of State for Wales have considered formal proposals put forward by the commission for ministerial decision.