HC Deb 10 February 1942 vol 377 c1386
38. Mr. T. Smith

asked the Secretary for Mines whether any examination has taken place into the usefulness of so-called fuel-savers offered to the public; and with what results?

The Secretary for Mines (Mr. David Grenfell)

I assume that the so-called "fuel savers" mentioned are the chemicals sold for spraying over coal or coke. Several of these preparations were carefully tested on coal fires a number of years ago, on behalf of the Fuel Research Board, and found to have no effect. A similar investigation, made more recently by the United States Bureau of Mines, showed that treatment with certain proprietary products made no difference on tests of commercial boilers.

Mr. Smith

Is not my hon. Friend aware that one of these products upon analysis proved to be nothing more than common salt, and are there no means of taking action in order to protect the public?

Mr. Grenfell

Unless these people can be proved to be committing fraud, I certainly think that I have no ground for taking action against them.