§ Dr. HASTINGSasked the Minister of Health if, for the guidance and information of local authorities he will cause to be prepared and issued model by-laws under Section 5 of the Smoke Abatement Act, 1926; and, if not, will he state what are the technical difficulties involved?
§ Miss LAWRENCEIf a by-law were confirmed, only the arrangements specified in the by-law for heating or cooking could then be used. Despite the large amount of consideration which has been given to the subject, it has not yet been found practicable to prepare a satisfactory by-law which would not be open to objection as restricting heating or cooking to a few specified methods, nor has my right hon. Friend received any satisfactory suggestions from any local authority or other body. He will be glad to issue a model by-law if and when the difficulties can be overcome.
§ Dr. HASTINGSasked the Minister of Health (1) what are the technical difficulties which prevent him from recommending the use of the Ringelmann smoke chart for the purpose of determining when smoke emitted from a factory chimney becomes a nuisance;
(2) whether he has taken any steps to ascertain whether in any country, and notably the United States of America, the emission of smoke other than black in colour is an offence; and, if so, whether he will consider the desirability of issuing model by-laws on similar lines?
§ Miss LAWRENCEThe use of the Bingelmann chart has been considered1496W and, while it may be useful as a guide, it has not been considered sufficiently precise under every-day conditions of observation for inclusion in a by-law. My right hon. Friend has reason to think that, in some places in the United States for instance, the emission of smoke other than black may be an offence, as it may be in this country under the Act of 1926. But he has not considered the issue of a model by-law dealing with other than black smoke advisable until a satisfactory workable means has been devised of observing the quality of such smoke and, unfortunately, though efforts have been made, that has not yet been found practicable.