HC Deb 27 January 1949 vol 460 cc1094-5
38. Mr. H. Hynd

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will now allow householders to change their coal supplier.

31. Mr. Bowden

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is now able to relax the restrictions and permit domestic coal consumers to change their retailers.

Mr. Gaitskell

Yes, Sir. I have decided that in accordance with the recommendation of the Domestic Coal Consumers' Council, consumers should be given the opportunity to change their coal merchants as from 1st May. Applications will have to be made in the last three weeks in March and full details of the arrangements wilt be announced before then. In the meantime, householders are asked to take no action.

Mrs. Jean Mann

Will my right hon. Friend indicate when householders wilt be able to change what the supplier delivers for real coal?

Mr. Gaitskell

I am sorry if my hon. Friend should have had unfortunate experiences in that respect. I suggest that she should use the normal channels and complain to the merchant in the first place. It is then for the merchant to complain to the Coal Board.

Mr. David Renton

In view of the fact that hon. Members on both sides of the House have been pressing for this change for the past two years at least, would the Minister explain why there has been this delay in coming to this decision?

Mr. Gaitskell

It would not have been possible to make this change except at this time of the year—that is to say, 1st May onwards—because of the necessity of programming the coal supply. A year ago, the National Coal Board were not in a position and had not been in existence long enough to make the necessary arrangements which alone make this possible.

Viscount Hinchingbrooke

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that while collieries continue to send consignments of coal to one particular locality, it is of little value to consumers to be able to change their coal merchant because, in fact, they will be receiving the same coal?

Mr. Gaitskell

There will be some degree of freedom of choice for merchants under the arrangements made by the National Coal Board. I do not wish to give the impression that the total amount of coal available or its quality will be affected by this change. What is possible is that the distribution service may be considerably improved.