View report page

Minister of Housing and Local Government in January 1960, the date of operation
also being 1st September 1960.
Necessitous Cases
Although the statutory grant covers 70% of the cost of conversions the
balance must be paid by the owner or occupier. It is realised that this may
throw an impossible burden on some, particularly old age pensioners with only
the statutory pension. To overcome this difficulty the Council is empowered
to make additional grants, up to 100% of the cost if necessary, and a special
Sub-Committee has been set up to deal with applications. One such case was
dealt with in 1959, and an additional grant of £7.8s. 4d. was authorised.
Fuel Supplies
There is still much prejudice against coke for space heating in the home
but with more experience of the new grates installed in these areas this should
be dispelled. A British Standard for coke has been established (B. S. 3142:1959,
Open fire coke) which will ensure the high quality of coke supplied to this Standard.
The National Coal Board and the Gas Boards have been carrying on intensive
and successful experiments in the production of new smokeless fuels
and there are hopes of greater improvement in the near future.
Administration
The procedure for establishing Smoke Control Areas and bringing them
into force is principally laid down in a Memorandum issued by the Ministry of
Housing and Local Government. This Memorandum is full of sound guidance
on general principles, and no great difficulty has been experienced in their application,
but as soon as an Area has been confirmed difficulties on questions
of detail abound.
One such arises in applying the ten principles laid down in the Memorandum
for determining the type and standard of work reasonably necessary in
converting a fireplac e. A s the payment of Exchequer grant depends upon careful
adherence to these principles by the Council, great care is needed. But it
is not possible to be certain that a particular decision will coincide with the
view of the Ministry. To illustrate this point, the fifth principle reads as
follows - "When replacement of an appliance is necessary, reasonable freedom
of choice should be given to the owner or occupier as between solid fuel, gas,
electric and oil-burning appliances provided the total cost of the alternatives
is broadly comparable. " This appears to be quite clear until it becomes necessary
to consider the last two words in relation to particular cases. Then it
is necessary to ask - what is "broadly comparable?" It should be remembered
that the number of cases to be dealt with in each area may well exceed 2,000,
28