§ 58. Mr. MacVEAGHasked the Lord Privy Seal in what quantities coal and coke can now be obtained by householders in London; and whether the same Regulations apply to the provinces and to the area known as the Home Counties?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Sir Auckland Geddes)I have been asked to answer this question. A coal merchant in London who has provided the necessary reserve stock of coal for the use of small consumers during the winter months may meet orders on hand by delivering to his customers in rotation a load at a time. A merchant who has not established the necessary reserve may not deliver coal in excess of his customers' current requirements month, by month. The total quantity obtained must not exceed the quantity authorised under the Household Fuel and Lighting Order, 1919. No restriction is imposed upon the quantity of coke which may be obtained. The same restrictions apply to the Home Counties and to the provinces, with the exception of Yorkshire, where, in view of the shortage of coal, more stringent regulations are in force.