§ 48. Sir B. Rhys Williamsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the drive towards further smoke control in towns and cities.
§ 79. Sir G. Nabarroasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to resume full operation and expansion of clean air policy after last year's setbacks, due to shortage of solid smokeless fuels.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerI am advised that supplies of solid smokeless fuels have greatly improved and accordingly I have published a circular urging local authorities to resume an active policy of smoke control forthwith. Further details are given in the following statement
On 26th July, in the light of advice received from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, I published a circular (D.O.E. Circular No. 53/71) advising local authorities that supplies of solid smokeless fuels seem likely to be fully adequate to meet consumer demand, that I foresee no need for the suspension or deferment of smoke control orders during the coming winter and that no supply difficulties are expected thereafter. I have expressed my hope that all local authorities who during the past two or three years have reduced or discontinued their smoke control programmes will now resume them energetically. In particular, all "black" area authorities are asked to review their programmes and consider whether they cannot achieve more rapid progress. The circular emphasises that I wish to give every encouragement to smoke control and hope to receive a large number of orders.