Mr. SIMONasked the Secretary for Mines whether the Fuel Research Board has been successful in finding more efficient or more smokeless methods than those now in force of heating working-class houses; and, if so, whether a report will be published giving practical recommendations that would be of use to local authorities and builders?
§ Mr. TURNERThe Department of Scientific and Industrial Research through its fuel research and building research organisations has conducted a large amount of research on the problems involved in the improvement of methods of domestic heating, and a number of reports have been published, of which I am sending the hon. Member a list. As regards eliminating the production of smoke, this is primarily a question of the use of electricity or smokeless fuels. Very extensive investigations have been carried out at the fuel reeearch station into the production of smokeless fuels, especially by improving methods of gas manufacture and the manufacture of coke suitable for domestic use. The best methods of heating in relation to any particular housing scheme depend so much on local conditions that it is not considered practicable at present to prepare a report which would contain practical recommendations suited to every case, but the Director of Fuel Research is always ready, if asked in any particular case, to give all assistance and information he can to local authorities and others connected with such schemes.