§ 58. Mr. Alexander W. Lyonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment by what authority his Department issued a circular to local authorities restricting the amount by which residents in smoke control areas can claim reimbursement for seven-tenths of their expenditure on new appliances contrary to Section 12 of the Clean Air Act 1956; and whether he will now withdraw the circular.
§ Mr. Denis HowellI take it that my hon Friend is referring to the circular which lays down cost limits for smokeless appliances. The Clean Air Act requires that the grant paid to householders by local authorities shall not go beyond expenditure for such reasonably necessary work as will enable the householder to comply with a smoke control order. The circular gives guidance as to what the Department will consider to be reasonably necessary expenditure in 605W normal circumstances, although the limits which it sets are now under review.