§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the resources requirement of local authorities for the new controls over air pollution.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe consultation paper issued in December 1986 estimated that the new local authority system would add £0.5 million to current expenditure. This recognised that the system would involve a reallocation of resources within environmental health departments. These departments are already responsible for control of air pollution from most of the processes involved, but have to use the less satisfactory combination of clear air and statutory nuisance controls. In April this year the Department issued a consultation paper on cost revovery charging for integrated polluton control (IPC). This paper proposed introducing a charging system for local authority control of air pollution compatible with the charges to be made by HMIP for exercising IPC. The volume of local authority resouces needed will be reviewed further in the light of responses received.
§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what preparations are in hand to ensure effective implementation of the new controls over air pollution.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe national air pollution inspectorates are already well equipped to implement their part of the proposed new system. As for the local authority part, a committee representing local authority associations and national pollution inspectorates (IPLA) has been set up to provide guidance to local authorities on the proposed new air pollution controls and to ensure consistency of enforcement both among local authorities and between them and the national inspectorates. It will also advise on related matters, such as training. A local authority unit has been set up within HMIP to service IPLA and to prepare authoritative guidance on the control of particular processes.