HC Deb 10 November 1975 vol 899 cc899-900
3. Mr. Raphael Tuck

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what action he proposes to take over the deadlock between the National Coal Board and the Watford Borough Council relating to the 600 fires in the houses of the Harebrecks Estate, Watford, details of which have been given him by the honourable Member for Watford; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Eadie

The NCB informs me that it is still awaiting a response from the Watford Borough Council to the revised offer that the Board made at the meeting on 24th July that my hon. Friend chaired.

Mr. Tuck

Does my hon. Friend appreciate that for the last two years the residents of about 800 homes in Watford have had not heat but noxious fumes pumped into their houses by the heaters which the National Coal Board has installed, and that 30 other areas are having similar difficulties with these heaters? Will he do his best to winkle Sir Derek Ezra out of his "hard-heading" to talk to the Watford Borough Council so that some sensible suggestions can be made? For the benefit of hon. Members, the term "hard-heading" means—

Mr. Speaker

Order. This is not the time for statements.

Mr. Eadie

I have every sympathy with the point that my hon. Friend is advancing, but I do not entirely accept the implications of his question. I hope he will concede that the Board's offer was to deal with extreme urgency with any cases in which health was shown to be at risk. I hope that he will take cognisance of what I said in my answer to his Question. The Board has made an offer to the town council and it is for the town council to respond to that offer. I think my hon. Friend will agree that there is a contractual relationship between the Board and the town council, and that contractual relationship should be pursued. I am sure that, through his good offices, my hon. Friend would want to be helpful as he has been in the past.

Mr. Tuck

It is the same offer as was made two and a half years ago.