§ 19. Mr. J. Langford-Holtasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether a greater heating value is obtained by the use of a gas cooker or an electric cooker.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerMy right hon. Friend, the Foreign Secretary, said in a written answer to the hon. Member for Bath (Mr. Pitman) on 15th February that the efficiency with which the potential heat of coal is delivered to a house as effective heat for warming a room is, in the form of gas, from 29 to 34 per cent., and in the form of electricity about 20 per cent. There are, however, great variations in the efficiency of gas and electric cookers, and in the way in which their owners use them; no precise quantitative comparison of their performance can, therefore, be made.
§ Mr. Langford-HoltIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the gas and the electricity authorities are carrying out advertising campaigns both claiming the most efficient use of fuel, and that this is costing a great deal? Have these campaigns got his approval?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerThe promotional campaigns have stopped. But the replacement of existing equipment may sometimes be useful. A modern gas cooker uses 40 per cent. less gas than some of the older types still in use.
§ 22. Mr. Langford-Holtasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if, in view of the fuel shortage, he will state which is the most economic method of domestic heating from the fuel point of view with regard to gas, electricity or grate burning.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerIn general, the most economic way of providing the main heating of a house or of hot water for domestic use in winter, is by means of solid fuel burnt in modern stoves. In a written answer to a Question by the hon. Member for Bath (Mr. Pitman) on 15th of February last, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary gave particulars of the relative efficiency of gas, electricity, coke and coal in the continuous heating of a room.