§ Mrs. Clwydasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his Department has conducted a study on the effects of acid rain on public buildings in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. WaldegraveMy Department has supported research into the connection between pollution levels and corrosion rates for different building stones, and the development of a technique of stone preservation. Proposals are under consideration for extended research into the effects of acid deposition on building and other materials. The large reductions that have occurred over the last few decades in the levels of sulphur dioxide in urban areas are a major factor in helping to protect ancient monuments and historic buildings from corrosion.