§ 32. Mr. Bossomasked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many tons of anthracite coal, required for Aga, or similar cookers or stoves, have been shipped into the Maidstone district in the last six months.
§ Mr. GaitskellOne thousand, eight hundred and two tons of anthracite and manufactured fuel were delivered to merchants in the Maidstone district during the coal summer. I regret that information is not available showing separately the tonnages suitable for Aga or similar stoves.
§ Mr. BossomDoes not the Minister realise that this is totally insufficient to enable people who are using this type of cooker to cook their own food and that in the near future they will be unable to cook their rations which the Ministry of Food permits them to have?
§ Mr. GaitskellI realise that there is a shortage of anthracite, but if any merchant in the hon. Member's constituency is short he should approach the local fuel officer who will do all he can to help.
Mr. BaldwinIs the Minister aware that this shortage is not peculiar to the Maidstone district, but that all country districts are short of anthracite and that people cannot get any for their stoves while they see unlimited supplies going into Service camps?