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It is pleasing to note the continued reduction in smoke pollution,
which is confirmation of the effectiveness of smoke control areas aided
by the voluntary change to smokeless fuels by persons living outside
smoke control areas.
There still appears to be no economic solution to the removal of
sulphur, but at least the reduction in smoke helps in the dispersal of
sulphur gases.
(b) Smoke Control Areas
Four areas covering 8,258 premises and 1,499 acres are in operation.
I give below details of applications received, grants approved and
paid in the four areas:—
Smoke Control Smoke Control Smoke Control Smoke Control
Area No. 1 Area No. 2 Area No. 3 Area No. 4
Applications for
approval of works 438 853 1,014 774
Grants approved £3,016.10.2 £7,403.11.2 £9,321.19.4 £7,016.7.6
Claims received 399 744 894 383
Amount of claims
paid £2,614.3.2 £6,880.19.0 £8,268.7.0 £3,230.7.5
In 7 cases, 100 per cent grant was paid to persons in receipt of
National Assistance, and whose applications were supported by the
Manager of the National Assistance Board.
As mentioned in the foreword to this report no detailed survey was
carried out in the No. 5 area, the estimated costs being worked out on
figures obtained from the first four areas.
Details of the areas are as follows:—
Acreage 698
Dwellings (including Council houses) 4,052
Industrial premises 61
Commercial premises 109
Other premises 12
It was estimated that the cost of replacing and adapting existing
fireplaces would be £40,375.
The Order was submitted to the Minister and was confirmed in
November with date of operation 1st October, 1964.
As the confirmation of the Order was followed closely by Memo
69/63, mentioned earlier, applications for grant were held over until
the Public Health Committee reached a decision. All residents were then
notified that increased grants were available for the installation of room
heaters (solid and gas), electric storage heaters, under-floor draught fires
and suitable oil fires.
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