§ 27. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Mooreasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will give an estimate of the increased consumption in domestic electricity due to the shortage of domestic coal supplies in the period 1st to 14th January.
§ Mr. ShinwellNo, Sir. I cannot give an estimate for the domestic consumption of electricity for a period so short as a fortnight.
§ Sir T. MooreThen how can the right hon. Gentleman justify cutting down the supply of electricity to those who have given up their coal fires and installed electric fires in order to help the country? How can he justify it when they are freezing?
§ Mr. ShinwellI will justify it on the demands made on me for, coal by the electricity undertakings.
§ Mr. MikardoIs my right hon. Friend aware that the efforts of hon. Members opposite to disparage the magnificent 1098 effort of the miners since nationalisation is making them ridiculous in the eyes of the mining community and the whole country?
§ Mr. NicholsonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that he has indeed achieved something that we on this side of the House, despite all our efforts, never achieved, namely, made the whole country much colder than it has ever been before?
§ Mr. ShinwellI imagine the hon. Member assumes for me a higher position in the cosmic scheme than that to which I am entitled.
§ Mr. NicholsonIt will be hotter in the next world.
§ Mr. SpeakerDespite the cold outside, I do not think we want to generate more heat in here.