§ 45. Mr. GINNELLasked the Prime Minister, in view of the dearth and increased cost of fuel for domestic, business, and public uses, and also of charcoal, why an inquiry has been instituted into the supply of coal only, instead of the supply of fuel; whether he is aware of the extent and present nominal price of the latent sources of efficient fuel for all purposes, and of first-class charcoal, in the peat bogs of the United Kingdom; whether there is any other than the coal interest opposed to the development of these natural resources; and whether he will institute an immediate inquiry into the utilisation of peat by a Committee not connected with coal-owning or with the coal trade?
§ Mr. PRETYMANThe Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question. I have no reason to think that the development 1332 of the manufacture and distribution of peat fuel has been in any degree impeded by the action of coal owners. I doubt whether any steps that could be taken would be likely to result in an appreciable addition to our fuel supplies from this source in the near future, and as at present advised I see little advantage in appointing a Committee to consider the problem.