§ 16. Brigadier Mackesonasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that there was a considerable amount of slate and other non-combustible material in the household coal delivered to the people of East Kent during the winter; and if supplies of coal for householders 1789 in East Kent will be of a higher quality during the winter of 1946–47 than they were last winter.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Fuel and Power (Mr. Gaitskell)I am aware that there has been some deterioration in the quality of coal owing to shortage of labour at the collieries for sorting and preparing the coal for market, and the need for using all the coal produced. There is no evidence to suggest, however, that the quality of domestic supplies in East Kent has been below the general standard. With regard to the second part of the Question, everything possible will continue to be done to maintain the quality of domestic coal at as high a level as conditions permit.