HC Deb 30 May 1952 vol 501 cc203-5W
Mr. Nabarro

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power when, and in what form, he proposes to issue a report of the activities of the Fuel Efficiency Division of his Department for the period of 12 months ended 30th April, 1952.

Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd

I have at present nothing to add to the reply which I gave my hon. Friend on 12th May.

Mr. Nabarro

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the staff and cost of the Fuel Efficiency Division of his Department, including all overheads, for 12 months ended 30th April, 1952.

Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd

The total staff employed at 30th April, 1952, was 244, of which 154 were professional and technical staff. The net charge to the Ministry of Fuel and Power Vote for the 12 months ended 30th April, 1952, for salaries, travelling, instruments and equipment, testing and demonstrations was approximately £209,000. The contingent liability for superannuation (payable when due from the Vote for Superannuation and Retired Allowances) for this staff is estimated at approximately £31,000 per annum.

Accommodation, postage, telephones, stationery, printing, etc., are provided by the appropriate Government Departments. The estimated total cost of these services for my Ministry in 1951–52, is shown in the Civil Estimates for that year (Class VI, Vote 6, Page 50) but estimates of the amounts appropriate to the Fuel Efficiency Division are not available.

Mr. Nabarro

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what new ideas he is bringing forward to encourage greater industrial fuel efficiency; and to what extent fuel efficiency in both domestic and industrial spheres is being propagated by broadcasting and television facilities.

Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd

The experimental loan scheme, details of which have now been announced, has been designed to encourage greater fuel efficiency and I have asked my Fuel Efficiency Advisory Committee to report on proposals for the certification of stokers. In addition urgent research and development work concerned with new uses for conventional fuels and investigations into the possibility of finding new fuels and sources of energy is proceeding. The programme includes work on gasification, on burning coal, peat and firedamp in gas turbines, and on heat pumps. Many of the B.B.C. programmes have included broadcasts dealing with various aspects of fuel efficiency.