§ 38. Sir G. Nabarroasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will introduce amending clear air legislation to compensation house occupiers in smoke control areas and elsewhere, who have installed smokeless solid fuel appliances, including central heating systems, and incurred an increase in the rateable values of their respective hereditaments on account of these improvements which cannot now be used properly due to non-availability of smokeless fuel.
§ Mr. Denis Howell:No. Rateable values are based on the annual rental values of property. I am advised that 64W temporary difficulties in obtaining suitable fuel for heating appliances would not normally affect rental values.
§ 93. Sir J. Edenasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many smoke control orders have been deferred; what recent guidance he has given to local authorities as a consequence of the shortage of solid smokeless fuel; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Greenwood:Local authorities have discretionary power to defer the coming into operation of smoke control orders for up to 12 months without reference to me. They know that I am ready to give sympathetic consideration to applications for the suspension of smoke control in particular areas, and I have not considered it necessary to issue any special guidance recently.