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short time the necessary conversions of fireplaces and ancillary works.
Attention was also drawn to the necessity for adequate supplies of
suitable smokeless fuels. An assurance has been given on behalf of the
Government, that all possible steps will be taken to increase the output
of smokeless fuels to meet the increased demands for them.
The Temple Bar Smoke Control Order has been in operation since
1st October, 1958. The Adelphi/Whitehall Order was confirmed on
26th March, 1959, and came into operation on 1st October, 1959. Thus,
at present, some 250 acres of the City are included in a Smoke Control
Zone.
On the 15th October, 1959, the Council resolved to make the Covent
Garden Smoke Control Order which it is hoped to bring into operation
on 1st October, 1960.
Grants towards adaptations or alterations
Owners or occupiers of domestic premises in a Smoke Control Area
may apply for a grant towards the cost of any necessary alterations or
adaptations to their existing equipment, to enable them to use an
authorised fuel. The work must have the approval of the City Council
and the expense must be incurred after the confirmation of the order
but before it comes into operation. The amount of grant which can
be claimed is 70 per cent. of the total cost incurred; forty per cent. of
this total is subsequently recoverable by the local authority from the
Central Government.
Smoke Control (Exempted Fireplaces) Order, 1959
This Order came into operation in July, 1959, and exempts from the
provisions of Section 11 of the Clean Air Act (the Section which provides
for the designation of Smoke Control Areas) those furnaces installed
after 31st December, 1956, which are equipped with mechanical stoking
apparatus but do not burn pulverised fuel, as long as they are operated
and maintained so as to minimise the emission of smoke and burn the fuel
for which they were designed.
Two proprietary types of appliances are granted similar exemption
under the Order, namely the solid fuel "Ductair" unit, and the "Fulgora"
slow combustion stove (used for burning wood shavings, etc.).
It was recommended that mechanically stoked furnaces capable of
working as smokelcssly as those exempted by the Order but which were
installed before 31st December, 1956, should be exempted individually
on similar conditions. Accordingly on 15th October, 1959, the Council
made Orders varying the Temple Bar and Adelphi/Whitehall Smoke
Control Orders, so as to exempt three mechanically stoked furnaces.
Two such furnaces were exempted from the Covent Garden Order.