§ 3. Sir I. Fraserasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will make a statement about the level at which both industrial and domestic coal stocks are now being accumulated against winter demands.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerOn 7th of July, the latest date for which the figures are available, the coal stocks held by engineering and other industry amounted to 3.505 million tons, and house coal stocks to 604,000 tons. The industrial coal stocks were 479,000 tons more, and the house coal stocks were 225,000 tons less, than at the corresponding date last year.
§ Sir I. FraserDoes the right hon. Gentleman think that we can get through a winter of average coldness without embarrassment?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerI think that it is too early to say that yet. The domestic consumer, however, has this year already purchased 360,000 tons more coal from the merchants than last year.
Air Commodore HarveyLast week the right hon. Gentleman told us that he would consider publishing a White Paper showing the stocks in the various regions and areas in the country. Has be decided whether he will do that?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerI think that that would involve great difficulties and serve no useful purpose.
§ Mr. Douglas MarshallIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that at this moment domestic consumers in south-east Cornwall cannot get even their present requirements, which they need now—and not even under special licence?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerThere have been difficulties about the movement of coal. I hope they are now being removed.
§ Mr. MarshallSo do I.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydDoes the right hon. Gentleman think that the lower level of domestic coal stocks has been affected by the withdrawal of the special priority which was granted last year?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerTo a certain extent it has been also affected by difficulties on the railways, which, as I have said, are now being removed.