§ 6. Mr. Nabarroasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether his attention has been directed to the report of a subcommittee of the National Smoke Abatement Society on nutty slack, reported recently in the journal, "Smokeless Air," a copy of which has been sent to him; how far his researches have established that smoke emission from this slack, burned in open domestic grates, is greater than any other type of coal, with aggravation of smoke-fog during winter months; and whether he will now consider alternative applications for nutty slack and the release to householders of more suitable solid fuel, misapplied in other directions.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydYes, Sir, and the report recognises the reasons for the sale of this small coal, which are to eke out the limited supplies of large coal by burning the two sorts mixed together. The report indeed says that smoke can be reduced in this way, and I agree.
§ Mr. NabarroIs my right hon. Friend aware that much good quality large coal is being misapplied in other directions? Is it not possible, for instance, for some of the 3 million tons of large coal burned under power-house boilers last year to be diverted to the domestic consumer, and an equivalent quantity of nutty slack, slurry and low-grade coal sent to the power-houses, which boast that they can burn coal of that quality quite efficiently?
§ Mr. LloydEvery effort is made to examine most carefully any large coal allocated for industrial purposes, and to get it reduced wherever possible. Of course, economies in power houses do largely free this untreated small coal which we are discussing.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonHas the right hon. Gentleman caused any inquiries to 858 be made into the extent to which the use of nutty slack contributed to the fog in London last December, as a result of which 6,000 people lost their lives and 25,000 more sickness benefits were claimed under the National Insurance Scheme during that period?
§ Mr. LloydI think that is an interesting point. This particular coal has needlessly got a bad reputation in regard to that particular fog. The advertising campaign of this coal by the Coal Board had just started, and was, so to speak, in full operation, but an infinitesimal supply of nutty slack had been delivered in London at that time.
§ 12. Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Minister of Fuel and Power how much nutty slack has now been purchased by domestic and other consumers.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydAbout 200,000 tons so far.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonDoes the right hon. Gentleman still maintain that the use of nutty slack, which seems to produce smoke without fire, is having no effect whatsoever on the pollution of the air over our great towns and cities?
§ Mr. LloydOf course, it is the fact that coal, even good coal, produces smoke, and it is a matter of degree, but it also produces warmth which is very much required at the present time.
§ Mr. P. RobertsIs my right hon. Friend aware that nutty slack can be used in some modern grates with very great advantage to the consumer?
§ Mr. LloydThere is absolutely no doubt about that. It should be mixed, and it was always insisted by the Coal Board that it should be mixed with ordinary coal, making a very useful addition to the supplies of fuel.
§ Mr. HamiltonCan the Minister indicate to what extent deliveries of nutty slack are holding up deliveries of better quality coal?
§ Mr. LloydI do not think they are holding up supplies of better quality coal, hut I think it is important that people should realise at the present time that they can help themselves and the country by using nutty slack and coke mixed in with ordinary coal.