§ 22. Mr. Culverwellasked the Secretary for Mines how many tons of house coal and industrial coal, respectively, are now in Government dumps as a reserve for use in an emergency; and how many tons does the Government hope to accumulate before next winter?
§ Mr. GrenfellThere are now rather more than 1,000,000 tons of coal in Government stock, of which more than half is house coal. It is the intention to add considerably to these stocks during the summer.
§ Mr. CulverwellIs the hon. Gentleman aware that in a speech he made in the recent coal Debate he misled the House into thinking that the Government and not private individuals had nearer 30,000,000 tons than 20,000,000 tons of coal stocked, and is it right that the Government should rely on private householders to get them out of their difficulties? Should not the Government have more adequate stocks themselves?
§ Mr. GrenfellThe hon. Member has been long enough in this House and present enough times during Debates to know thoroughly well that he is misleading the House at the present time. He is well aware that the best place to stock coal is at the point of consumption, and if private householders are to be supplied with coal, what is the good of stocking elsewhere?