CAB129-45 — Page 343

Long-term Measures

Page 343

***** 10.—(a) Co-ordination of Fuel and Power — I am discussing with the Chairman of the National Coal Board, British Electricity Authority and Gas Council how best to co-ordinate the economic and efficient use of gas, electricity and coal in the interest of the nation.

(b) Promotion of Technological Development.—Work is in hand on the following matters: ---

(i) industrial drying;

(ii) the determination of standard figures for coal consumption under

conditions of good practice in the manufacturing industries;

(iii) the development of extended courses of technical education; (iv) the initiation and prosecution of research and development in all the aspects of coal utilisation steam raising, power generation (including the generation of electricity from waste steam by back-pressure turbines), gas production, coke production, district heating, locomotive transport- and in the exploitation of other sources of energy.

(c) Research in Co-operation with the National Coal Board, British Electricity Authority and Gas Council. My Department carries out an annual review of the whole field of research in fuel and power matters, including the statutory research submissions of the nationalised fuel industries, and in 1950 it was found that the field was well covered, with no unnecessary duplication of effort. The prospect of securing effective long-term development lies in encouraging an attitude of mind and facilitating certain methods of working, and for this reason it is undesirable to focus premature attention on specific innovations.

With this proviso, it may be noted that, in addition to the activities already mentioned under (b) (iv) above, particular attention is now being paid to:-

(i) combined gas and electricity generation, with possible consequent trans-

mission of gas by a high-pressure grid;

(ii) the underground gasification of coal;

(iii) new methods of power generation, such as the coal-burning gas turbine

in various forms;

(iv) the utilisation of peat;

(v) the utilisation of firedamp from mine ventilation as a fuel for power

generation;

(vi) wind power.

Domestic Use of Coal

11. (a) There is extensive scope for an increase in the average efficiency with which solid fuel is used in the home. The immediate effect on consumption of installing efficient appliances cannot precisely be estimated. Nevertheless, the wide- spread installation of improved appliances at least tends to reduce domestic consumption of solid fuel, and to minimise the consequences of enforced reduction. of supplies.

(b) Most of the new houses now being erected are fitted with efficient fuel- burning installations. The Ministry of Local Government and Planning and the Ministry of Works are helping to ensure that this becomes standard practice.

(c) A very high proportion of the 12 million pre-war houses are still heated by appliances attaining efficiency of less than 20 per cent., compared with the 35 per cent. which is a reasonable figure for the performance of an efficient appliance. Considerable efforts have therefore been made through the Coal Utilisation Joint Council to encourage the installation of efficient domestic heating appliances by advice directed to the general public, and to all technical persons concerned with the installation of appliances and the design of housing. "A Training Centre for the technical and sales staff has been set up: show rooms will follow. It is clear both from the sales reports of the manufacturers of the appliances, and from the number of letters received from the general public, that the importance of the matter is beginning to be understood.

(d) Altogether 850,000 improved appliances for domestic use have been sold since 1947; the number sold in 1950 was 300,000.

(e) The Coal Board is engaged on a pilot scheme for replacing the old type grates in their miners' houses with modern appliances. This may save a good deal of the coalRagich minefs5receive on concessionary terms. Page 343 of 587

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