§ Mr. T. MOLES(by Private Notice) asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, despite the allocation of 10,000 tons of Welsh steam coal to Ireland for industrial purposes, the acute shortage of coal for domestic purposes has been in no degree mitigated Whether he is aware that the Medical Superintendent Officer of Health for Belfast has reported to the City Council that the recent large increase in the number of deaths of children is attributable mainly to the want of coal for providing warmth in the houses of the people. Whether at a special meeting of the North of Ireland Coal Control Committee a resolution was unanimously adopted strongly urging that sufficient coal for domestic purposes and gas works undertakings is not being released by the Coal and Coke Supplies 609 Committees for the need of the people in the northern area. That a large proportion of householders in numerous cases with illness in the house, are quite unable to obtain even a small supply of coal without waiting weeks for delivery; that the additional allocation of 10,000 tons Welsh steam coal to Ireland will only assist in partly relieving the shortage on industrial coal, and will not help the existing acute shortage on domestic coal; and whether, in view of this very serious position, he will take immediate steps to ensure such a supply of coal as will relieve the distress and suffering due to the protracted coal shortage in the northern area of Ireland?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANNo allocation of 10,000 tons of Welsh steam coal for industrial purposes in Ireland has been made, but approximately 40,000 tons monthly have been allocated to Ireland generally. I was not aware deaths of children in Belfast were attributable to lack of coal, but supplies to that port and to Ireland generally were necessarily reduced owing to the recent strike of coal labourers in Belfast. No information as to the resolution said to have been adopted by the North of Ireland Committee has been received. All possible steps are being taken to ensure adequate supplies of coal for Ireland.
§ Mr. MOLESIf I send the hon. Gentle man a copy of the resolution which I know has been addressed to his Department, will be at once proceed to take action to relieve the acute suffering in Belfast?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe hon. Member is rather too late. I have already proceeded to take what action I can to relieve that suffering. I was not disputing the accuracy of what was contained in the question.
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI have stated that we had allocated 40,000 tons of coal monthly to Ireland generally.
§ Mr. MOLESBut that was for industrial purposes and not for domestic use. That is the point of my question.
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI have already stated that the coal was for Ireland 610 generally, and not merely for industrial purposes.