HC Deb 04 November 1970 vol 805 cc364-5W
Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he intends to review orders made by him imposing smokeless zones with a view to the suspension of such orders in areas in which adequate supplies of smokeless fuel may not be available to householders at reasonable prices.

Mr. Peter Walker

The initiative in this matter belongs to the local authorities. I have, however, informed the local authorities that I am ready, in response to individual requests, to suspend smoke control temporarily in particular areas where it is considered that otherwise hardship would arise from local shortage of solid smokeless fuel.