§ 5. Mr. Wadeasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what advice he has received from the Clean Air Council, in connection with abating the pollution of the air, as to the effects of advertising open coal fires; whether he is satisfied with the present position; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BevinsThe Clean Air Council will meet in a few days time and my right hon. Friend hopes to discuss the matter then.
§ Mr. WadeIs the Minister aware that the Coal Utilisation Council, in its advertising campaign, is urging people to burn coal in open fires? Is there any co-ordination of policy between his Ministry and the Ministry of Power and between the Coal Utilisation Council and the Clean Air Council? Will he suggest to the Minister of Power that it would be better to spend money advertising smokeless fuel and at the same time to make sure that it is available for those who want it?
§ Mr. BevinsThere is, of course, close co-operation between my right hon. 179 Friend and the Minister of Power. As I said, this matter is to be discussed with the Clean Air Council very shortly. In general, the Coal Utilisation Council is helpful to the cause of clean air, although I agree with the hon. Member that it is undesirable that sales of ordinary coal should be pushed in the "black areas" and particularly in smokeless zones, but this is a many-sided business.