HC Deb 15 May 1950 vol 475 cc827-9
2. Mr. J. Langford-Holt

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps he proposes to improve both the quality and quantity of coal supplied to domestic users in the Shrewsbury area.

The Minister of Fuel and Power (Mr. Philip Noel-Baker)

As I said in answer to a recent Question, the supply and quality of coal for household use is now under urgent consideration. I am informed that the district and regional house coal officers have not received any representations from the merchants in the Shrewsbury area about a shortage of supplies. I am advised that the complaints from consumers received by the local fuel overseer were satisfactorily dealt with within a day or two.

Mr. Langford-Holt

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that for several months now the ration, or the permitted amount, has not been honoured and, as far as quality is concerned, since the recategorisation by the Coal Board, what should be "National Coal Board best" is nothing more than third-class rubble? When the right hon. Gentleman talks about there being no complaints, he is quite inaccurate.

Mr. Noel-Baker

I have told the House repeatedly that the National Coal Board, after conversations with me, are taking steps to improve both the quantity and quality of the coal. [HON. MEMBERS: "When?"] Of course we cannot get results in a fortnight.

Mr. Martin Lindsay

What is the right hon. Gentleman's estimate of the time that will be required before improvements can be made?

Mr. Noel-Baker

I cannot give an estimate, but I hope it may be fairly soon.

Mr. Shurmer

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether it is possible to keep this opencast coal away from domestic users?

Mr. Speaker

That has nothing to do with this Question, which merely deals with Shrewsbury.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Some of the opencast coal is suitable for domestic use but some of it is certainly not suitable and the Coal Board hope to withdraw it.

Mr. Langford-Holt

In view of the inadequate and inaccurate answer, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter again on the Adjournment.

5. Sir Waldron Smithers

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps he is taking to avoid delivery of non-combustible material in coal supplies; and if, in view of the particulars sent to him concerning Mr. Parsons, 66, Town-court Crescent, Petts Wood, he will make a statement.

6. Mr. Goronwy Roberts

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware of the complaints in Caernarvonshire, particularly the town of Caernarvon, about the poor quality of the coal that is supplied; and if he will take action to remedy the position.

Mr. P. Noel-Baker

In reply to a Question on Monday last, I described the action which has been taken to improve the quality of household coal. I also said that the question of redress for bad quality coal is under review; the National Coal Board have discussed the matter with the coal merchants, and they are trying to simplify the procedure for dealing with complaints, both by merchants and customers.

Sir W. Smithers

Is the Minister aware that owing to the recent rise of 5s. a ton, consumers will now have their proportion of expenditure increased because they have to pay 5s. a ton extra for all this slate and slurry which is included in their ration?

Mr. Noel-Baker

I am hoping that the quality will be improved. Perhaps I might say to the hon. Member that I have read the correspondence he sent from Mr. Parsons. I think Mr. Parsons had a genuine difficulty and I hope that the simplified procedure which may emerge from these discussions may help in cases like this, but in general the present procedure has worked well.

Mr. Arthur Colegate

Will the right hon. Gentleman agree that nearly all these complaints with which he is bombarded would disappear if he would abandon opencast coal mining and get down to deep-mined coal?

Mr. Noel-Baker

No sir. If we did that, we would simply have an industrial crisis on a major scale.