HC Deb 26 January 1970 vol 794 c989
13. Mr. Emery

asked the Minister of Technology what representations he has received from consumers about shortage of smokeless fuel; and what replies he has sent.

Mr. Alan Williams

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Cambridge (Mr. Lane), on 19th January. The replies varied with the type of complaint.—[Vol. 794, c. 4.]

Mr. Emery

Is it not a major castigation of Government Departments that Lord Robens should criticise Government Departments for a lack of liaison on this matter? How many smokeless zones—this is one of the problems here—is he recommending should not be activated, which is meeting the criticism of the Minister of Housing?

Mr. Williams

Six zones have been suspended at the request of the local authorties. As for the comments of the Chairman of the National Coal Board, to some extent, they were a good example of poetic licence, but not of practical accuracy.*

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