HC Deb 10 February 1947 vol 433 cc1375-6
46. Mr. Wyatt

asked the Prime Minister whether he is satisfied that the information services at the disposal of the Government took adequate measures during December and January to prepare the public for the difficulties that would arise out of the fuel shortage, even in the event of favourable weather conditions; and what steps he proposes to take to strengthen these services.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee)

Ample warning of the danger of a coal shortage arising this winter, and the consequences of such shortage on industry and the domestic consumer, were given well in advance of December and January; my right hon. Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power recapitulated some of the warnings given during the Debates in this House on 7th February and 10th February. In January when it became necessary to restrict supplies of coal to industry and to introduce the Fuel Allocation Scheme, my right hon. Friends the President of the Board of Trade and the Minister of Fuel and Power held a Press conference on r3th January at which the situation arising out of the fuel shortage and the need for fuel economy was fully explained.

Mr. Wyatt

Surely my right hon. Friend agrees that the public did not realise how serious the situation was, nor did they realise the absolute necessity for saving the maximum amount of fuel in their own homes? Does not that mean that the Government information services need strengthening so that people can be fully informed of these things before they happen?

The Prime Minister

There have been criticisms in this House that there are too many people in the information services.

Mr. Stanley Prescott

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it was not the information services which were at fault, but that it was a case of the inefficiency of the Minister of Fuel and Power and of the Government?

Mr. Skeffington-Lodge

Will my right hon. Friend consider reviving and filling the office of Minister of Information so that the Government's case will not go by default, as it has done, as a. result of the Opposition Press activities?