§ 1. Mr. GRUNDYasked the President of the Board of Trade if he can now state how many registered coal merchants have been prosecuted under the Household Fuel and Lighting Orders, 1918–19, respectively, and the number of licensed coal dealers that have been prosecuted under the 1918–19 Orders, respectively?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Bridgeman)The number of cases in which registered coal merchants and licensed 848 coal dealers have been prosecuted under the Household Fuel and Lighting Orders, 1918 and 1919, is as follows:—
Registered Coal Merchants. 1918 Order … … 193 1919 Order … … 77 Licensed Coal Dealers. 1918 Order … … 142 1919 Order … … 66
8. Major HENDERSONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, in conformity with the general desire of coal consumers in Glasgow, a communication was addressed to his Ministry on 29th October last, requesting that re-registration of coal consumers might be allowed, and that it was stated in reply on 11th November that it was hoped it would be possible to remove the control of household coal at such an early date that the re-registration of consumers would only cause unnecessary inconvenience; that in reply to a further letter dated 27th December, asking when coal control would be removed, it was stated on 9th January that it had not been found possible to remove the control of house coal; that a further letter was addressed to the Board of Trade on 24th January asking whether the question of re-registration could be reconsidered in view of the impossibility of removing the control and that to this letter no reply has been received; whether, under these circumstances, he will state if it will be possible to remove the control of household coal in Glasgow within the next three months: and, if not, whether he will permit re-registration of coal consumers in that city?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI am aware of the circumstances to which the hon. and gallant Member calls attention. The question of decontrol is being carefully considered, but I regret that I am not in a position to make any definite statement at present.
§ 16. Mr. THOMAS GRIFFITHSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the shortage of coal in the districts of Darwen; whether he is aware that householders are without supplies of coal for three and four days at a stretch, which is causing great hardship amongst invalids and children; and whether he will see that adequate supplies are forwarded to this area?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANNo complaints have reached me concerning supplies to Darwen, but I am having inquiries made into the position.