§ 37. Sir L. Lyleasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in view of the substantial rise in the price of coal, arrangements can be made to allow old age pensioners to obtain their small supplies at a reduced rate.
§ The Minister of Fuel and Power (Major Lloyd George)I fully realise the difficulties of old age pensioners, and others, in meeting the increased cost of fuel, but I fear it is impossible to make the arrangements suggested by my hon. Friend. In the first place I doubt whether it is appropriate for Minister responsible for supply of different commodities to fix prices varying according to the means of individual consumers, and in the second place I am sure that any attempt to do so would throw a burden on distributors and local government authorities which, in present conditions, they could not face.