HC Deb 13 November 1947 vol 444 cc538-9
70. Mr. De la Bère

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps the Government propose to take to reduce the waste due to loss of heat in smoking chimneys, which has been calculated to be equal to about 10 million tons of coal each year.

Mr. Gaitskell

Various steps have already been taken to deal with this problem. The fuel engineers of my Ministry continuously visit industrial undertakings to advise on efficient boiler house practice in order to reduce heat losses caused by incomplete combustion of fuel. Practical demonstrations are given at works; courses of instruction for boiler firemen have been set up and active encouragement is given to the development of more efficient fuel burning equipment. As regards domestic consumption, assistance is given to local authorities in the selection of improved appliances, designed to increase the efficiency with which fuel is consumed. Plans for district heating schemes are also being developed. Further progress must largely depend on the expansion of the production of more efficient heating appliances and a greater production and use of smokeless fuel.

Mr. De la Bère

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that my previous supplementary very nearly exhausted me, and that I will not, therefore, put one to him on this Question?

Mr. W. J. Brown

With a view to diminishing the strain on the auditory faculties of Members who sit over here, just in front of the hon. Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bère), would the Minister consider giving one reply per Session which is not "thoroughly unsatisfactory?"