§ Mr. Blackburnasked the Minister of Health to what extent local authorities during the past five years have taken powers to control and reduce smoke pollution of the atmosphere in the areas for which they are responsible; and what steps are being taken by him to promote further progress in this matter.
§ Mr. Bevan:Eight local authorities have taken powers to establish smokeless zones, 17 to control the emission of smoke from new furnaces, 18 to provide district heating: the City of London has taken power to extend its bylaws for regulating smoke. I have asked all local authorities who are installing solid fuel appliances in their new houses to select those of improved types which will burn smokeless fuel and I have approved a small number of experimental district heating schemes.