HC Deb 02 April 1985 vol 76 cc517-8W
Mr. Cartwright

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the Central Electricity Generating Board has been involved in, or conducted any research into the effects of SO2 and NOx emissions on ancient monuments other than that mentioned in his reply to the hon. Member, 19 March, Official Report, column 422.

Mr. Goodlad

I have been asked to reply.

I am advised that, prior to the formation of CEGB, questions on the effect on St. Paul's cathedral of chimney emissions of SO2 and NOx were raised when Bankside power station in Southwark was proposed in the mid-1940s. Partly as a result of this concern, Bankside was equipped with a flue gas desulphurisation system. In the early 1970s the cathedral authorities were still concerned about possible effects from Bankside power station and CEGB co-operated in a study which showed that the station was not the major source of pollution at the cathedral. A similar study took place in Peterborough in 1960 where the CEGB, in co-operation with the cathedral authorities, made a study which showed that sources other than the power station — including the cathedral's own heating system—were the mot significant contributors to the pollution.

As part of a long continuing study of the effects of air pollution on current materials of structural importance (including metals, concrete and paint systems) the CEGB included specimens of stone of the type widely used in ancient monuments in a two-year exposure programme that is now nearing completion. This aspect of the study was carried out in consultation with the Building Research Establishment and the Department of Environment. Further studies on stone are under consideration.