asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action is being taken to reduce the level of atmospheric pollution of industrial origin in the North-East.

In the North-East as elsewhere, the control of industrial emissions to the atmosphere rests partly with the Alkali and Clean Air Inspectorate and partly with the local authorities. The Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution is at present making a special study on the whole subject of air pollution control and is expected to report later this year.