HC Deb 15 July 1935 vol 304 cc745-6
31. Mr. T. WILLIAMS

asked the Minister of Health, whether, in order to secure a cleaner atmosphere and the consequent improvement in the public health, he will recommend to the notice of other local authorities the action of the city of Manchester, which is now carrying out tests of smokeless fuels in its town hall over a period of 12 months; and what has been the Ministry's own experience of smokeless fuel?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Mr. Shakespeare)

The tests at Manchester have been only recently commenced. The results of the tests will no doubt in due course be available for other authorities. My right hon. Friend is informed by the First Commissioner of Works that smokeless fuel has been found satisfactory for use in open grates, but the cost is at the present time greater than that of ordinary house coal after allowing for relative efficiency.