§ 87. Sir J. Lucasasked the Minister of Works if, to assist the coal industry by setting an example, he will reintroduce at least some coal fires in the Palace of 30W Westminster, to replace the electric fires installed during the post-war coal shortage.
§ Lord John HopeNo. In the particular circumstances of the Palace of Westminster, coal fires were eliminated in the interests of efficiency, economy and cleanliness. The change has been most successful in these respects, and the re-introduction of even a few coal fires would be costly and, in my view, unjustified.