§ 33. Mr. Viantasked the Secretary for Mines what complaints he has had of the difficulty in purchasing coal for domestic consumption; and what action he has taken in the matter?
§ Mr. GrenfellComplaints of inability to obtain sufficient coal for current consumption which come to the notice of my Department are promptly dealt with, but in view of the heavy demand for coal for stocking some delay in fulfilling present orders is inevitable. I would ask those whose requirements are still outstanding to exercise a little more patience.
§ Sir W. DavisonIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there is still a great shortage in many provincial towns, that orders given weeks and months ago are not fulfilled, and could not some of these unemployed miners be employed in getting coal that is urgently required in this country?
§ Mr. GrenfellThe hon. Gentleman ignores the fact that the men who are unemployed are not normally employed in pits producing house coal. All the house-coal pits are working to full production, and I can assure the House that 50 per cent. more coal is being directed to supplying household consumers than was the case this time last year.
§ Mr. W. H. GreenIs the Minister aware that two London Co-operative Societies, with over 1,000,000 registered customers, have for weeks and weeks been totally unable to supply their current needs?
§ Mr. GrenfellI know that there have been complaints from London Co-operative Societies, or from the members of London Co-operative Societies, but I can assure my hon. Friend that London as a whole—although I cannot guarantee that individual distribution is equitable in every case—is infinitely better off than it was this time last year.