HC Deb 11 June 1951 vol 488 cc1644-5
22. Mr. Sutcliffe

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps he is taking to provide storage accommodation, where possible, for coke, in readiness for the winter, in districts where it has to be fetched from gas works in neighbouring towns.

Mr. P. Noel-Baker

I have no reason to think that the merchants are without the stocking space which they require; but if the hon. Member has any special case in mind, I will cause inquiries to be made.

Mr. Sutcliffe

Would the right hon. Gentleman ask local authorities and not merchants especially to provide storage accommodation for coke where the gas works is some distance away, to avoid the sorry spectacle we had last year in my constituency and elsewhere of old women of 80 years of age trudging a mile and a half each way to fetch their fuel?

Mr. Noel-Baker

I have not heard that the difficulty was due to lack of stocking space. If there was any such shortage I am sure that the merchants would have informed me, when I would have helped them immediately.