HC Deb 19 March 1940 vol 358 cc1796-7
34. Mr. Critchley

asked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been called to the serious shortage of household coal in the city of Liverpool; what steps he proposes to take to alleviate the distress which is being caused by such shortage; and whether he is satisfied that everything possible is being done to ensure the maximum output from the collieries?

The Secretary for Mines (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd)

Yes, Sir. I have had a full report from the coal supplies officers concerned, who have been giving close attention to the house coal requirements of the city of Liverpool. Everything possible is being done to maintain and increase output, and I understand that a number of special train loads of coal have recently been sent to the city from the Midland area.

Mr. Burke

Can the Minister tell us the idea behind the policy of robbing the North of its normal and necessary coal supplies and transporting them to the South?

Sir Herbert Williams

Is my hon. Friend considering the complete revision of the demurrage regulations, which are very largely responsible for the shortage of coal?

Mr. Thorne

Will the Minister make a statement regarding the shortage of coal all over the country?