HC Deb 21 March 1979 vol 964 c622W
Mr. Beith

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from the Domestic Coal Consumers' Council about the provision of chimneys in council houses; and what reply he has given.

Mr. Armstrong

The Domestic Coal Consumers' Council wrote to my right hon. Friend in May 1978 asking him to consider the results of a survey carried out by the council into the provision of flues in new houses and proposing that chimneys should be provided with all new houses.

In my reply on behalf of my right hon. Friend, I indicated that the Department's view was that the provision of chimneys in public sector housing was a matter to be decided by an individual housing authority in the light of local circumstances and preferences.