HC Deb 22 January 1964 vol 687 cc1071-2
20. Mr. Woodburn

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that Glasgow recently was relatively clear of fog in the smokeless zone area but handicapped beyond it; and if he will make a statement on the benefits derived from this smokeless zone since its inception.

Mr. G. Campbell

Yes, Sir. I am glad that the results appear to register success of the smoke control policy. Apart from the immediate benefits experienced at times of fog, smoke control in Glasgow and other areas is removing a serious health hazard letting more sunlight through, keeping buildings and their contents cleaner, and reducing maintenance costs in a number of ways.

Mr. Woodburn

Is the Secretary of State calling the attention of other cities to this benefit? Is he taking any steps to increase the supply of smokeless fuel so that this can be developed more quickly?

Mr. Campbell

With a few outstanding exceptions such as Glasgow, which plans to have nearly the whole city under smoke control, progress is not as fast as my right hon. Friend would wish, and he is taking every opportunity to encourage it. My right hon. Friend is also concerned to encourage the supply of smokeless fuel. The right hon. Gentleman may have seen recent reports of a new plant which should be in bulk production later this year.

Mr. T. Fraser

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that his right hon. Friend the Minister of Power published a White Paper in December, 1963, in which he admitted the continuing shortage of solid smokeless fuel and said that this shortage would become greater in the next few years if we persisted in having any further enlargement of smokeless zones? There is a difficulty here which must be looked into. Is the hon. Gentleman aware also that in Glasgow in particular the availability of solid smokeless fuel is declining all the time because the Gas Board is going over from coal carbonisation to the manufacture of town gas from light oil distillates?

Mr. Campbell

My right hon. Friend is well aware of the dilemma here and of the desire to press ahead with smoke-controlled zones, but at the same time not go so far ahead as to overtake the supply of fuels. This is a problem which is appreciated, and the distributive trade is doing its best to overcome it.