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CLEAN AIR
The Smoke Control Officer reports:—
During 1963 two major events, very closely connected with Clean
Air, occurred. Firstly the very severe weather which started in 1962,
continued for some time into 1963, and placed a considerable strain
upon the fuel suppliers and distributors.
Whilst the vast majority of fuel merchants did their best under most
difficult circumstances, a very small minority took advantage of the
situation to increase the price of pre-packed smokeless fuels.
There is little doubt that as a result of the bad winter with solid fuel
shortage and delays in delivery, a large number of residents became
more interested in alternative methods of heating, in particular by
means of gas room heaters and small bore central heating.
The second major event was the issue of Memo 69/63 by the Ministry
of Housing and Local Government in December which notified local
authorities that in view of the rapid technological changes in the gas
industry affecting the future production of gas coke, an immediate
review of current arrangements under the Clean Air Act 1956 was being
instituted.
The Minister of Power carried out a comprehensive reassessment of
the probable availability of the different smokeless fuels, and published
his conclusions in a White Paper.
Briefly, as a result of the changes, the supply of gas coke—which in
the past had been regarded as the basic solid smokeless fuel—would
not increase. Whilst supplies would be available for existing Smoke
Control areas, the fitting of large numbers of coke burning open fires
in future areas would create a shortage.
To encourage the use of fuels other than open fire smokeless fuel, the
Minister proposed widening the grant arrangements so that reasonable
grants could be paid for room heaters (solid and gas), under-floor
draught fires, electric storage heaters and suitable oil heaters.
The Public Health Committee agreed to make the higher grants available
in Smoke Control Area No. 5 although this Order had been confirmed
before the issue of Memo 69/63. It was felt that this would contribute
towards keeping open-fire fuels available for the existing smoke
control areas, for those in proposed smoke control areas who wish to
retain an open fire and for those residents outside smoke control areas
who already have suitable appliances.
Whilst this change necessitates heavier total expenditure on Clean
Air, the range of appliances now eligible for grant gives a much higher
heating efficiency than an open fire. So that in addition to the main
object of cleaning the atmosphere the payment can also be regarded as
an improvement grant which enables a considerable number of residents
to enjoy greatly improved heating in their homes.
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