§ 22. Mr. Kershawasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, to what extent worthwhile results have accrued from research supported by the Government, directed to improving the efficiency and design of domestic heating appliances using solid fuels.
§ Mr. H. NichollsSince the freestanding convector fire was put on the market a few years ago, the most important development—also originating from the British Coal Utilisation Research Association, supported by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research—has been a new type of central heating system using pipes of small bore and forced-circulation. This system can be installed without expensive structural alterations. Thus it is now possible to provide the comfort of central heating in many older houses for which installing central heating has hitherto been too expensive.
§ Mr. KershawCan my hon. Friend search his mind and say what is the approximate cost? Can he say, for instance, what is the approximate cost of converting an ordinary three-bed-roomed house to this new system?
§ Mr. NichollsThe figure I have in mind after asking questions about this is that a house of 1,100 sq. ft. would cost between £300 and £320.