§ 65. Mr. GILBERTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the hardships which were caused to small buyers of coal during the many weeks of severe weather in London during last winter, owing to the fact that there were no stocks of coal for sale at many of the usual depots; and whether, in view of the necessity of taking all steps now to prevent a repetition of these hardships during next winter, he can state what steps the Coal Controller proposes to take in order to accumulate sufficient stocks in London to supply the needs of small buyers during the whole of next winter?
Sir A. STANLEYSpecial arrangements have now been made to divert to London considerable additional supplies of house coal for stocking purposes.