View report page

CLEAN AIR
A table showing the position reached in the Smoke Control Programme is on page 43.
Owing to the shortage of smokeless fuels in the winter of 1970/71, along with other
authorities in the London area the Council agreed to suspend 40% of the operative Smoke
Control Orders from November 1970 until 31st March 1971. This shortage of fuel caused the
Minister in confirming the No. 11 Order to postpone the operative date from 1st April 1971
until 1st July 1971. With this knowledge the operative date for the No. 12 Order was proposed
and confirmed as 1st August 1971. The No. 13 Order was made in August and submitted
for confirmation which is expected early in 1972.
There are assurances that adequate supplies of smokeless fuels are now available
and that there is no further need to slow down progress towards the completion of our clean
air programme.
Efforts towards the elimination of domestic smoke have been made over many years
and as each Order comes to its operative date it is found that a lower percentage of house
owners claim grant for the conversion of appliances, because they have already decided to
improve their standard of heating and comfort by the installation of modern appliances and
central heating systems. It is likely therefore that the Council may be able to make Orders
covering a large number of houses as the programme nears its conclusion, without any
increase in cost to the Council.
42