§ 15. Mr. Charles A. Howellasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will give details of the percentage of houses affected by smokeless zone orders in each year since the passing of the Clean Air Act, 1956.
§ Mr. CorfieldSeparate figures for houses covered in each year are not available. The following is the available information about houses and premises:
PREMISES COVERED BY SMOKE CONTROL ORDERS MADE DURING THE PERIOD 1957–1962 (1) (2) (3) (4) Year Total Premises covered Premises in Black Areas Figures in column (3) expressed as percentage of all Black Area premises 1957 … 17,744 17,382 0.21 1958 … 62,472 56,161 0.68 1959 … 150,000 144,853 1.77 1960 … 380,233 366,070 4.46 1961 … 368,423 337,422 4.11 1962 … 552,635 498,143 6.07 Totals … 1,531,507 1,420,031 17.30 NOTES:
1. The percentages shown in column (4) above are percentages of the total numbers of premises in the black areas concerned. In practice it is not always necessary for all premises in a black area to be covered by smoke control orders. For example there may be some premises in areas of more open country where there is no serious smoke problem.
2. The figures relate to the dates on which orders were made by local authorities. Orders have to be confirmed by the Minister, and there is a waiting period (for conversion of heating appliances) before they come into operation. Usually an order will come into operation in the year following the one in which it was made by the local authority.
3. At the end of 1961, 87 per cent. of the premises covered by smoke control orders were dwellings. It is probable that something like this percentage of dwellings has been, and will be, covered by the orders made in subsequent years.
§ 16. Mr. Charles A. Howellasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will consider restricting future smokeless 150W zone orders to the percentage increase of production of smokeless fuel in the area concerned.
§ Mr. CorfieldMy right hon. Friend never confirms a smoke control order unless he is assured by his right hon. Friend the Minister of Power that supplies of smokeless fuel will be adequate locally.
It is not possible to keep demand from new smoke control areas rigidly in step with any percentage increase in production in the region concerned. Allowance has to be made for stocks and for the diversion of supplies from other sources.