HC Deb 23 July 1951 vol 491 cc4-5
6. Miss Burton

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he has completed his investigation into the possibility of secur- ing a more equitable distribution of coke; and if he is now in a position to make a statement.

Mr. P. Noel-Baker

Discussions have been held with the Gas Council and with the representatives of the merchants about the better distribution of the supplies of coke. Satisfactory progress has been made, but more statistical information is required before I can make the further statement for which my hon. Friend has asked.

Miss Burton

While appreciating that my right hon. Friend is as anxious as anyone else to achieve a more equitable distribution, may I ask if he is aware that many householders are quite unable to obtain any coke at all, in particular in the houses in the new estates around Coventry? Does my right hon. Friend propose to give an answer shortly?

Mr. Noel-Baker

Yes, Sir, I hope to be able to make a decision in a matter of a few weeks; but the real difficulty is that we are without the necessary statistical information to make a better scheme of distribution.

Sir Arnold Gridley

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the area of Buckinghamshire where I live merchants are absolutely bare of coke? One merchant says that he has orders for 8,000 tons of coke, much of which is needed by re-armament firms, and that he has no idea of whether he will be able to get one ton. I myself have been waiting for coke for several weeks.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Yes, Sir, we had a lot of trouble last winter about coke, largely due to maldistribution. We took off the restriotions. It may have been right or it may have been wrong, but it has certainly added to the difficulties. We have not a system of registration now which enables us to secure equitable distribution. I am trying to get the information to make one.

Mr. Marlowe

Is not the answer to the problem not to get more statistical information but to get more coke?

Mr. Noel-Baker

We are getting more coke, but, unfortunately, it is badly distributed. Some people and some areas are getting too much, and some are getting too little.