asked the Minister of Health, in view of the poisonous fumes and smoke now emitted by numerous chimneys in great industrial centres like Birmingham, what steps he proposes to take towards an abatement of this nuisance.

The Annual Reports of my Chief Inspector of Alkali Works are a record of the steps constantly being taken to that end.

May we take it that the Minister is satisfied that the Act of 1936 provides adequate powers to deal with this nuisance? Is my right hon. Friend aware, for example, that some 349 tons of solid matter per square mile, per year, which is something like 19.1 cwt. per day, fall on Birmingham?

I am well aware that Birmingham is a centre of great industrial activity, and I expect that my hon. Friend's estimates are correct. However, at the moment, it is not intended to review the law on this matter.