Power subsidy ruled out

Press, 16 October 1976, Page 1

Power subsidy ruled out

By CEDRIC MENTIPLAY

There is no likelihood that Christchurch householders will receive a special subsidy to encourage them to use electricity instead of coal, and so alleviate the pollution problem. The Minister of Electricity (Mr Holland) said this in Parliament yesterday, in reply to a question from Mrs M. Batchelor (Lab., Avon). He suggested that the proper , use of insulation, combined with electric heating, was the most effective non-pollut-ing method of combating cole weather.

Mrs Batchelor had asked whether, in view of the special smog problem in Christchurch, Mr Holland would consider some form of subsidy to encourage people to use electricity. Mr Holland said that it would be simplifying the position, to encourage the use of electricity at the expense of coal. “New processes have been developed which allow coal to be used without accompanying pollution,” Mr Holland said. “Subsidised aboveceiling insulation will reduce heat loss by 25 per cent, and the full use of insulation in new houses will increase this saving by 40 per cent.”