§ 79. Mr. Randallasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government, in view of the shortage of solid smokeless open-fire fuel in the northern region, 52W necessitating the installation of a more expensive appliance to burn the hard coke available, if he will consider giving higher grants towards conversions to avoid hardships to owners or occupiers, and allow local authorities to proceed with their smoke control programmes as originally planned.
§ Mr. MellishThe owner or occupier normally receives, partly from the local authority and partly from the Exchequer, a grant representing 70 per cent. of the cost of installing a hard coke appliance. In hardship cases up to 100 per cent. can be paid. My right hon. Friend does not think he would be justified in introducing legislation to raise the rate of Exchequer contribution.