asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will state to what extent his Department is giving a lead to the country by encouraging the reduction of atmospheric pollution and by the consumption of smokeless fuels in Government offices and furnaces; and whether he can give any statistics by way of illustration?

It is only in London that Government buildings under the control of my Department exist in such numbers or in such concentration as materially to affect the smoke question. During the present winter, about 8,000 tons of coalite will be used in about 7,000 open fires in the Westminster, City and South Kensington districts. A few grates have been adapted for the use of gas coke as an experiment. In outlying districts, house coal is still in use. Most of the smaller central heating installations in Government buildings in London burn gas coke. The majority of the larger installations burn low volatile fuels such as large Welsh steam coal or Welsh Steam grains or blended fuels. With proper stoking, no smoke trouble should arise from the use of these fuels. In a few installations bituminous fuels (Northumberland and Scotch nuts) are used, but even these, with the use of mechanical stokers, should not give more than a grey haze of smoke. The position may be summarised as follows. The tonnage given is the estimated amount to be used in the London area during the current heating season: