asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures he intends to take to strengthen the powers of the Alkali Inspectorate.

The Inspectorate's task is to enforce the Alkali Acts, which require the owners of scheduled works to use the best practicable means to prevent the discharge of noxious emissions and render them harmless where discharged. While I am satisfied that the Inspectorate's powers are adequate I propose, subject to my consideration of the report of a recent public inquiry, to extend their scope by applying the Acts to certain industrial processes not previously scheduled.