HC Deb 03 May 1994 vol 242 cc431-2W
Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how he ensures responsibility for coordinating air monitoring in respect of European directive EC 85/203 and World Health Organisation air safety levels; and at what cost, including equipment and staffing costs.

Mr. Atkins

The monitoring of nitrogen dioxide for the purposes of European directive EC 85/203 is undertaken by the National Environment Technology Centre on behalf of the Government, and the results are reported to the Commission. The results of monitoring at all Department of the Environment automatic air pollution monitoring sites, including the nitrogen dioxide directive sites, are published annually by the National Environment Technology Centre. The annual reports include an analysis of exceedences of European Community and World Health Organisation guidelines and standards.

The annual running cost of a nitrogen dioxide directive monitoring site, which may include measurements of other pollutants, is in the order of £25,000. The capital cost of establishing an automatic nitrogen dioxide monitoring site is about £30,000.

Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how he co-ordinates air monitoring with local authorities.

Mr. Atkins

My Department has a successful history of co-operation with local authorities on air pollution monitoring. For example, smoke and sulphur dioxide, using non-automatic techniques, are monitored at some 250 sites by 151 local authorities, with central Government providing the central co-ordination and quality assurance and quality control. The national nitrogen dioxide diffusion tube survey established in 1993, in which nitrogen dioxide is being monitored at more than 1,200 sites by some 300 local authorities, is run on similar lines.

In order to build on this co-operation the Government recently published a consultation paper, "The Future of Air Quality Monitoring Networks in the United Kingdom", in which proposals were made to develop a framework which draws local and national automatic air quality monitoring together into a coherent quality assured network. The Government are currently considering responses to the proposals in that paper.

Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what response he has made to the report of the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology entitled "Breathing in our Cities"; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Atkins

The Government are fully aware of the growing links between air pollution and health, not least from its own advisory group. We have made clear our intention to publish proposals later this year for a strategy to improve the quality of air in the United Kingdom, after widespread consultation. To this end, the Government have issued a discussion paper entitled "Improving Air Quality" which discusses the options available and invites comment from all interested organisations and individuals. Copies of this paper have been placed in the Library.