§ 15. 15. Mr. GILBERTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that there is still great shortage of coal in some London districts and that small buyers have to wait in queues at local coal depots in order to obtain small quantities because of the usual street delivery not being carried out by the lorries; is he aware that there is no control at these depots by which only one person or family can obtain coal; and can he arrange that more coal shall be sent to London and that it shall be delivered by lorries to the houses of small consumers to ensure that each householder and family shall have a supply of coal?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANUnfavourable weather conditions have interfered with the distribution of coal both by road and rail, but arrangements have been made for the lorries to deliver coal on Saturdays up to 4 p.m. in districts where there is need, and I hope this will have a good effect. Increased supplies of coal have been coming into London for the last three weeks, but the difficulty has been in their distribution.
§ Mr. PEMBERTON BILLINGWill he consider the advisability of using some of the Army lorries in distributing this coal in districts where the poor people have no fire whatsoever?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThat has been considered.