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84
Britain is burned in the domestic hearth it contributes nearly 50 per
cent. of the smoke. The part to be played by the householder is set out
in the next paragraph:—"We realise that there may be some difficulty
at first in getting people to accept coke in place of house coal, their
traditional fuel, but we feel sure that this difficulty can be overcome by
improved and consistent quality coupled with vigorous and convincing
presentation of the value and desirability of coke supplemented by a
good information and consumer service. The householder should be
made to realise that coke is cleaner than raw coal both for himself and
for his neighbours and that when burnt in modern appliances it provides
an equally pleasant source of room heating and is a more efficient,
labour-saving and economical fuel. Coke is not, as some people say
'coal with the goodness taken out'; it is 'coal with the smoke taken
out of it.' If properly used it gives more heat weight for weight than
coal. We are confident that the domestic consumer will ultimately
recognise the advantages of a supply of this high grade fuel and its
convenience, coupled with the major advantage of freedom from smoke
and dirt."
Local authorities as landlords have their part to play. Most
authorities now instal improved appliances capable of burning coke
efficiently in the new houses they build. It would be helpful if private
builders followed the same practice. Local authorities, too, can take
steps to obtain the powers necessary to enable them to create smokeless
zones. The report suggests: "that local authorities should have powers
not only to establish smokeless zones in which the emission of smoke
from chimneys would be prohibited, but also powers to establish smoke
control areas in which the use of bituminous coal for domestic purposes
would be restricted."
The Middlesex County Council were asked to convene a conference
of County District Councils in Middlesex with a view to defining smokeless
areas in the county and the Council agreed to support the action of
the Willesden Corporation who requested the Middlesex County Council
to introduce as early as possible a General Powers Bill to empower
District Councils in Middlesex to create smokeless zones in their areas.
The County Council decided to seek the advice of the Middlesex Boroughs
and District Councils Association on the desirability of obtaining powers
on these lines, or of trying to secure general legislation dealing with the
matter.
Having considered the Beaver Report, the Public Health Committee
at their December meeting resolved to recommend that the Ministers
of Housing and Local Government and of Fuel and Power be urged to
secure the passing of legislation to implement, as soon as circumstances
permit, the recommendations contained in the Report of the Committee
on Air Pollution presented to Parliament in November, 1954.
There has /or some time now been a strong suspicion that there is
an association between smoking and cancer of the lung. The Ministry's
Standing Advisory Committee on Cancer and Radiotherapy, having
received a report from a panel of statistical experts set up under the
chairmanship of the Government Actuary, reported:—