§ 54. Mr. Woofasked the Paymaster-General what estimate he has made of the effect on coal consumption by the operation of the Clean Air Act; and what estimate he has made of the increased use of electricity, gas and oil in all the declared clean air zones.
§ Mr. MaudlingIt is too early in the operation of the Clean Air Act to make any such estimates.
§ Mr. WoofDoes not the right hon, Gentleman agree that the Beaver Report 854 estimated that there would be 8 million tons of smokeless fuel suitable for open grates under the application of the Clean Air Act? In view of the success the National Coal Board in its process development department claims to have had in discovering several new processes for the manufacture of smokeless fuel from small coal, can the right hon. Gentleman say what support will be given to the Board by his noble Friend?
§ Mr. MaudlingThe question was about coal consumption, but smokeless fuels, such as gas and electricity, are derived from coal. I think the National Coal Board is doing a very good job in trying to develop smokeless fuels from coal.