§ 43. Mr. Brookeasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is in a position to secure that all heating and cooking appliances installed by or for other Government Departments shall be so 20 designed and fitted as to achieve the maximum economy in fuel?
§ The Minister of Fuel and Power (Major Lloyd George)The responsibility for the purchase and installation of heating and cooking appliances by or for other Government Departments does not rest with me, but I have drawn their attention to the urgent need for considering fuel economy in selecting such appliances. My hon. Friend will appreciate that difficulties in the supply of labour and materials place a limit on what can be achieved in this direction during the war.
§ Mr. BrookeIs it not possible for the Ministry of Fuel and Power to stand in the way of other Departments installing appliances which may be cheap in the first instance but will be extravagant in the use of fuel?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeWe appreciate that point, and we are doing our best to deal with it.
§ 61. Mr. David Adamsasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works whether he is aware that, with a view to fuel economy and smoke abatement, many of the coal-burning grates in Government offices in Whitehall were altered to burn smokeless fuel; and whether it is intended, as soon as conditions permit, to continue similar alterations in all Government buildings in London?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works (Mr. Hicks)Before the war smokeless fuel was used in about 7,000 open grates in Government offices in the Westminster, City and South Kensington area. In one office, special grates for burning coke were installed and coke was tried elsewhere in ordinary grates suitably adapted. My Ministry is in close touch with the Ministry of Fuel and Power in these matters and will be guided by their advice in the future in securing the maximum fuel economy and smoke abatement.
§ Mr. AdamsHas the question of carrying this out effectively throughout the whole of the Government offices in London been actively pursued?
§ Mr. HicksYes, it has been pursued and in order to save coal during last winter a certain amount of coke was mixed with ordinary coal and used in open fires.
§ Mr. Glenvil HallWill it not help if we could be told what percentage the 7,000 referred to in the answer was of the whole number of grates in Government offices?
§ Mr. S. O. DaviesDoes the Department include anthracite among smokeless fuel, in view of the fact that it is the most perfect fuel for open grates?
§ Sir Alfred BeitCan the Parliamentary Secretary say that in any new buildings for which his Department are responsible open grates will be abandoned?