§ 40. Mr. Harmar Nichollsasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will review the allocation of house coal to Peterborough district for the winter period, 1950–51, which as it now stands is 49 tons per week less than the corresponding period, 1949–50, whilst the number of consumer registrations have in the meantime increased by 689.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerI think the hon. Member is under a misapprehension. The final allocation made to the district of Peterborough for the winter of 1949–50 was 1,262 tons per week; the allocation for the coming winter is 1,279 tons, that is, 17 tons more per week, not 49 tons less.
§ Mr. NichollsIs the Minister aware that the distributors in the area have figures which are completely different in their conclusion from those which have been given by the Minister? Is he further aware that the permitted quantity shows far too great disparity from the actual allocation, since the general public expect the 30 cwt. as announced, and are not getting that allocation at the moment?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerI have always made it clear to the House that we have not got as much coal for domestic use as we desire, but I hope Peterborough will be getting a little more this year than last year. Among other things, domestic consumers in the country have stocked up 750,000 tons more this summer than they did last year.