Mrs. Slater:

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he is aware of the continued nuisance from the Goldendale Foundry, Stoke-on-Trent, and of the concern of people in the area about it; if he is satisfied that there is a possibility of a complete cure of the effects of the nuisance; and what action he will take to secure this.

My right hon. Friend and I are aware of this nuisance. The Alkali Inspectorate, with the company's full co-operation, is energetically seeking a cure, but technical difficulties have still to be overcome. New fume arrestment plant for the hot blast cupolas should be erected soon, and much effort is being concentrated on making the existing fume arrestment plant on the blast furnaces work better.

Mrs. Slater:

Is the Minister aware that that kind of language has been used for the last four years or more about this firm? I have letters sent to me by the Ministry using exactly the same terms, that new machinery is being designed and that it is expected to be introduced; but still we carry on. Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this nuisance occurs in an area where people naturally suffer from bronchitis, asthma and pneumoconiosis; that people living there are unable to open their windows, that women are unable to put out their washing, and that others rest by the wayside because of the sulphur fumes? I appreciate the work of the Alkali Inspectorate, but is it not the fact that in an age when we can put a man into space we ought to be able to solve this scientific problem?

It is doubtful whether there is a direct connection between putting a man into space and curing fumes, but I stress that the plain fact is that the state of knowledge is not such that we can guarantee success. I assure the hon. Lady that every effort is being made to try every possible alternative to achieve that, but it would be dishonest for anybody standing at this Box, or in any other place, to use language other than that to which she has referred.