§ Mr. J. H. Osbornasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how far implementation of the smoke control programmes published in Smoke Control (England and Wales) 1962–66 depends on increased production of gas coke suitable for open fires.
§ Sir K. JosephHitherto in establishing smoke control areas it has been possible to rely on open-fire gas coke being available as the basic domestic replacement for the raw coal previously used. But owing to the rapid technological changes now taking place in the gas industry it is clear that a major increase in the production of gas coke can no longer be expected. This means that at a stage in the programmes varying from place to place additional supplies of open-fire coke may cease to be available to meet the requirements of further smoke control areas. Changes68W may therefore he needed in current arrangements in order to ensure that progress with smoke control is not impeded. In conjunction with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Power I am instituting an immediate review of these arrangements. The practicability of encouraging greater use of closed and openable stoves, will be among the matters covered by the review. Local authorities will be kept informed of the progress of the work. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has agreed that in general it would be useful for this review to cover Scotland as well.