§ 60. Sir R. COOPERasked the President of the Board of Trade if the Midland division coal supplies were 8,000 tons short the first 11 weeks of this year compared with a similar period last year; whether the London area has received more than 100,000 tons for the same period in excess of that supplied in 1919; and if he can announce what steps he is taking to relieve the position of householders?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI am aware that the Midland Division coal supplies were smaller and that the supplies to the London area were greater during the first 11 weeks of this year as compared with a 1249 similar period of last year, but the reserve stocks held in the Midland division at the beginning of this year were very much greater and in the London area considerably smaller than at the beginning of last year. The question of supplies to the Midland division is receiving attention.
§ Sir R. COOPERIs it not a fact that the real difficulty in the Midlands as regards coal supplies is that the steps taken by the Coal Controller have resulted in too much coal being sent to London and not sufficient kept in the Midlands?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANNo.