Miss Wardasked the Minister of Works what would be the estimated cost of supplying fuel-saving appliances in respect of open fires to all Government Departments; and the estimated annual saving in fuel consumption.
§ Mr. EcclesAbout 5,000 improved solid fuel burning appliances have been installed in Government buildings in place of the old type of open grate, but we have not yet had sufficient experience to estimate the saving in fuel. Any such estimating will in any case be made extremely difficult by variations in the weather, the comparative skill of those stoking the appliances, the relatively short period for which the appliances are in use and the types of fuel obtainable. The cost of a convector stove, including installation, averages about £15 per appliance. It is estimated that there are now about 3,000 open fireplaces in Government buildings which could be converted to convector stoves.