Registration (Hansard, 11 March 1948)

§ 64. Mr. Shephard
asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will now remove the control which prohibits a person changing his or her coal merchant.

§ Mr. Gaitskell
The possibility of removing this control is being constantly considered, but I regret that it is not yet practicable to do so.

§ Mr. Shephard
Is the Minister aware that in cases where a dishonest coal merchant has given short weight the customer is still not able to change his merchant? Will the right hon. Gentleman bear that point in mind and reconsider the whole matter?

§ Mr. Gaitskell
It is possible for a consumer to change his merchant, with the permission of the local fuel overseer. If the hon. Member has any particular case in mind I should be glad to look into it.

§ Mr. Shephard
A case was reported in the Press last week.

§ Major Bruce
Would my right hon. Friend try to control this regrettable manifestation of private enterprise?