HC Deb 31 July 1947 vol 441 cc606-8
2. Mr. Hurd

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will issue instructions to his local officers to allow an additional allocation of coal to the houses of farm-workers and others living in isolated places who have to rely entirely on solid fuel for cooking and drying clothes.

Mr. Shinwell

Additional coal allowances are already granted to consumers entirely dependent on solid fuel.

Mr. Hurd

Would the Minister make this arrangement more widely known, because the standard allowance of 34 cwt. for an isolated cottage is quite inadequate?

Mr. Shinwell

I agree. We have made this announcement as widely known as possible; instructions have been sent out to fuel overseers, and announcements have also appeared in the Press. While I agree that the amount is inadequate, we do arrange for additional supplies to be provided in all those cases where a consumer is entirely dependent on solid fuel.

Mr. Baldwin

Can the Minister say whether there is any definite standard laid down for the issue of this extra coal, so that all country dwellers may know for what they are entitled to ask?

Mr. Shinwell

There is a standard, but it is contingent upon the availability of supplies. For example, in the North the permitted ration may be increased, in certain cases, from 50 cwt. to 60 cwt., and in the South there would be a proportionate increase, but I repeat that it depends on whether the supplies are coming forward.

Mr. Manningham-Buller

Do not these individual increases come out of the total allocation for the area, and do they not really mean that if one person has an increase someone else has to do with less?

Mr. Shinwell

Not necessarily, because the allocations are frequently revised in accordance with the needs of the area.

8. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power approximately what is the proportion of the allocation of coal that has been delivered, or is likely to be delivered to customers in the London or Greater London areas before the autumn.

Mr. Shinwell

Deliveries are, of course, dependent on supplies, but I do not anticipate that the London average this summer will be less than last summer, when an average of over II cwt. per premises was delivered.

Mr. Sorensen

Is the Minister aware that in some parts of London the proportion is very much lower than was anticipated, and that a great deal of the allocation has not yet been delivered?

Mr. Shinwell

I am surprised to hear that, because, according to the figures available in the Department, the amounts are in excess of last summer, although I am not pretending that they are as adequate as they should be.

Mr. Sorensen

What is the reason for the disproportionate distribution?

Mr. Shinwell

There may be some variations as regards deliveries to certain districts. I should be glad to be acquainted with any information which my hon. Friend has in his possession.

11. Mr. Frank Byers

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in view of the expected deficit on the coal target for the end of this year, it is anticipated that there will be a reduction in the domestic fuel allocation for the coming winter.

Mr. Shinwell

I see no reason at present for changing the domestic coal restrictions next winter, but I am keeping the level of supplies under close review.

Major Peter Roberts

Will the Minister give an assurance that if there is a deficit due to a reduction in home production, he will be able to get coal from abroad to make up the difference?

Mr. Shinwell

It is quite impossible to speak of restrictions in allocation until we see what the position is in September and October. At the present moment, I see no reason why we should not make available as much for this coming winter as was made available during last winter.