§ 35. Major HOWARDasked the Coal Controller whether he was aware that in rural districts there was a serious shortage if coal required for agricultural purposes; whether he would take steps to ensure an increased supply for the autumn cultiva- 15 tion; and would he make a statement showing the comparative percentage of pre-war quantities of coal forwarded to towns and rural districts, respectively, and the percentage of quantities forwarded during the last six months?
§ Sir A. GEDDESI am not aware that the rural districts are affected to a greater extent than urban districts by the recent curtailment of output, but the District Coal and Coke Supplies Committees have been requested to instruct the collieries to give special attention to demands for coal for food production purposes. I regret that the material does not exist for the compilation of the statement asked for in the latter part of the question.