HC Deb 03 October 1939 vol 351 cc1816-8
72. Mr. Maxton

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can make a statement as to the rationing of coal, gas and electricity; and, in particular, will he satisfy himself that the allowances for the poorest homes will be sufficient to meet ordinary needs?

Mr. Lloyd

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement I made on 17th July in reply to a question by the right hon. Member for Wakefield (Mr. Greenwood). In that statement I explained that I had decided not to apply any rationing to the poorest households, and the Fuel and Lighting Order, 1939, accordingly provides for the exemption from rationing of the smallest consumers of coal, gas and electricity.

Mr. Maxton

Has the Minister nothing to add to what was said in the middle of July, when all sections of the community did not know where they were on this business?

Mr. Lloyd

What was said in July was clear then and is clear now; that is, that consumers of under two tons of coal per annum are not rationed, and consumers of equivalent amounts of gas and electricity are not rationed.

Mr. Maxton

This "two tons" business means nothing at all. It is less than a cwt. a week, and it is just nonsense. Will the Minister go back to his Department and try and get some statement that will have an intelligent meaning to the citizens of this country?

Mr. Lloyd

I can do that without going back to the Department, and I can tell the hon. Gentleman that in addition to what I said with regard to the two tons, all those small consumers who can get coal in lots of less than 28 lbs., which is a frequent practice in parts of the country, are not rationed at all.

Mr. Lawson

What is the need for this rationing when there are large numbers of skilled miners unemployed and also coal seams awaiting them?

Mr. Lloyd

Perhaps the hon. Member will await an answer to a subsequent question; but I must point out that in addition to the general considerations which, on a long-term basis, make rationing necessary, it is essential under present conditions to conserve the stocks of coal existing in the different regions of the country, and therefore it is important that consumption should not proceed too fast, irrespective of the actual question of coal output.

Mr. Lawson

Is the hon. Member aware that there is a general feeling in the country that the Government are doing nothing whatever to use the reserve of labour among the miners?

Mr. Lloyd

I hope the hon. Member will await the next question.

Mr. Stephen

Has the hon. Gentleman arranged for the staff which drove the fish trade out of the country to do the same in regard to coal?

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