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It was intended that the amended grant arrangements should apply to
those areas in which sufficient smokeless fuels for open grates would not
be available and it was on this point that some confusion arose throughout
the London area during the early part of 1964. Each authority proposing a
new smoke control area had to approach the various fuel suppliers to
ascertain the local situation, and v/hilst some replies were very optimistic
others were shrouded in doubt. It was practically impossible to deduce
whether a district was "hard coke" (room heaters) or "soft coke" (open fires).
Fortunately the London and Home Counties Clean Air Advisory Council
arranged a meeting with representatives of the Ministry of Power, Ministry
of Housing and Local Government, Gas Boards, Distributors' Associations and
local authorities.
From the meeting emerged the fact that for the London area there would
be sufficient open fire fuel available for:-
a. All existing improved fires (whether burning coke or not) in proposed
smokeless areas and
b. All householders in such areas who, under conditions of individual
freedom of choice, wished to install improved open fires.
The important words in (b) "individual freedom of choice..." were
interpreted as payment of reasonable grant for whatever appliance was
selected, and not payment of grant based on the cheapest way of adapting
the existing fireplace irrespective of the type of heating selected.
In other words the system of grant payment, approved in 1963 by the
Public Health Committee for S.C.A.5., on room heaters (solid or gas),
electric fires, storage heaters and under-floor draught open fires was to
continue in all proposed areas.
It will be seen in tables given l iter in this report that in comparing
the cost per application in areas Nos. 4 and 5 the increased grants have
raised the cost of clean air, but not to the extent generally anticipated.
The trend towards gas has continued and a large number of gas room
heaters have been fitted. The gas image continues to ascend and despite
being more expensive than solid fuel people are attracted by the
efficiency of the appliances, absence of work and convenience of piped fuel
supply. New methods of gas production would seem to promise stability of
price and this in days of general price increases is an attraction in itself.
Credit must also be given to the North Thanes Gas Board for its efficient
canvassing in snoke control areas.
Solid fuel room heaters have also proved popular. When operated
correctly and, most important, with the complete removal of ash daily, these
appliances give a very satisfactory performance at a reasonable cost. In
addition to heating a particular room they quite often provide background
heating for other parts of the house.
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