HC Deb 23 June 1942 vol 380 cc1807-8
35. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what amount of coal per week he proposes to allow an average family to receive weekly who have little or no stocks?

Major Lloyd George

My hon. Friend will be aware that it has been decided not to ration domestic fuel at present. There is no question, therefore, at the moment of any weekly allowance of coal for an average family. The purpose of the present restrictions, which, as stated in the White Paper on Coal, are to be continued, is to ensure as fair a spread as possible of the available supplies among those who are able to stock coal and coke, and the limits on what may be acquired in a month do not bear any relation to current consumption at this time of year, which everyone should reduce to the lowest possible figure.

Mr. Smith

Can the Minister state quite definitely what is a reasonable amount of coal to be received by the average family?

Major Lloyd George

It is laid down what the position at the moment is. Controlled premises are not to acquire more than one ton of any kind of coal or coke if the total stock at the beginning of the month did not exceed two tons.

Mr. Smith

In view of the fact that there are millions of people who cannot look at tons at all, what is a reasonable amount for the average family to be receiving at present?

57. Sir John Wardlaw-Milne

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power when the appeal for the voluntary rationing of fuel will be made?

Major Lloyd George

As my hon. Friend will be aware, appeals for economy in the use of fuel have been made by the Government for some considerable time. A more intensified campaign will start in a very few days.

Sir J. Wardlaw-Milne

I do not know what my right hon. Friend means by speaking of appeals having been made. There has been no widespread appeal. Do I understand from him that there will be a definite appeal launched by the Government for voluntary rationing in the near future?

Major Lloyd George

Yes, that is what I do mean. There has been some appeal in the last eight months. A more intensified campaign is being started.

Mr. Shinwell

What does the right hon. Gentleman mean by "intensified campaign"? Is it to be conducted on a vast scale; is it to cost money? Could he give us a few of the details of what he means by "an intensified campaign"?

Major Lloyd George

I think that even the hon. Member can hardly expect to get it for nothing. It is bound to cost some money. By "intensified campaign" I mean making use of every possible means of appealing to the public for fuel economy.