§ 18. Mr. Edwin Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to ensure that under modernisation schemes every house owned by local authorities shall have a fireplace with a back boiler installed.
§ Mr. FreesonNo, Sir. It is for the local authority concerned to decide what sort of space and water heating should be installed in modernised dwellings in the light of local needs and circumstances.
§ Mr. WainwrightDoes not my right hon. Friend feel that he is reneging on his duty and responsibility? Is he aware that in the Mexborough area houses are being modernised and gas fires are being installed without any back boilers? Is it not crazy that in these days when central heating is being installed we cannot even make funds available to the local authorities to instal back boilers?
§ Mr. FreesonThat is not the position. The decision on particular heating systems lies with the local authorities and their professional advisers and designers. We do our best to review the housing cost yardstick, which affects these matters, on a quarterly basis. We do it regionally to take account of all local factors on price and costs. Against that background, I do not accept that it is for me to direct local authorities about their particular heating systems.