HC Deb 29 October 1946 vol 428 cc440-1
38. Lieut.-Colonel Clifton-Brown

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will reconsider his recent coal rationing Order, which denies people who rent rooms the right to be registered, and only allows a reduced extra ration to the landlady, as the proposed scale of half-cwt. per week will cause real hardship.

Mr. Shinwell

There has been no recent Order. The existing statutory provisions relating to the separate registration of parts of premises have been in force since 1943. I have, however, recently issued revised instructions to local fuel overseers, and I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy of a leaflet on the subject of sub-tenancies which will shortly be available at all local fuel offices. The additional quantity of half a cwt. per week is the quantity agreed by local fuel overseers in the Eastern region as a general guide, but this amount can be increased at the discretion of local fuel overseers when special circumstances warrant it.

Lieut.-Colonel Clifton-Brown

Will the Minister instruct his regional officers that it will be essential for people in the Eastern counties to have a good increase above what they had before, because they cannot be expected to keep these small houses warm? If the landlady gets only half a cwt. she cannot give it to the tenant.

Mr. Shinwell

It depends entirely on how many people are living in the house.

Colonel Clarke

Will the Minister recollect that half a cwt. today is not what half a cwt. was before the war?

Mr. Shinwell

Yes, I am fully aware of the position, but so is the hon. and gallant Member, who was closely associated, and is still closely associated, with the coal trade.

Mr. Scollan

Will my right hon. Friend take into consideration cases where fathers and mothers have to take in married sons or daughters, thus making practically two families in one house? They do not get any extra ration of coal, and when children come they have to live in a separate part of the house.

Mr. Shinwell

Of course local fuel overseers always take these matters into consideration.

Mr. Keeling

Has the lodger any remedy if the landlady refuses to give him a proper share?

Mr. Shinwell

That is obviously a question for the Attorney-General.