HC Deb 27 March 1945 vol 409 cc1287-8
4. Captain W. T. Shaw

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that the Regional Controller in Edinburgh, at a meeting with the Sub-committee of the Angus County Council in July 1944, when the seriousness of the coal situation was considered, suggested purchasing a maximum of 4,000 tons of wood to be sawn into blocks, and 981 tons were obtained to be used where authority for its disposal was received from London; that on 2nd February last, owing to the serious shortage of fuel, application was made to the Regional Controller in Edinburgh asKinģ for authority to sell hard wood fuel stocked by the county council and other applications have subsequently been made but, so far, the Regional Controller in Edinburgh has not replied; and if he will investigate this matter with a view to securing a more businesslike procedure in future.

Mr. Tom Smith

My right hon. and gallant Friend is maKinģ inquiries into this matter, and will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend.

Mr. Tinker

Is the Minister aware that in the country, trees have been cut down and sites have been cleared of wood that many people could use?

Mr. Smith

I can assure my hon. Friend that we have this matter in mind. As a matter of fact, we have more than 100,000 tons in stock on the site he has in mind.

Mr. Thorne

Is there any possibility of supplying, say, one cwt. of wood to people who are only entitled to 5 cwt. of coal, to 'help them to eke it out?

Mr. Smith

That is a question of the locality where the wood may be. We are taKinģ all those possibilities into consideration.