§ 8 and 11. Mr. Nabarroasked the Minister of Fuel and Power (1) to what extent the reclassification of household coal will provide safeguards that uniformity of quality is achieved and maintained, within each of the eight groups, in each of the 60 zones provided for in new price structure of the National Coal Board;
(2) the maximum permitted percentage of dirt and deleterious matter in the eight groups specified in the arrangements for reclassification of household coal; and what redress can be obtained by the household consumer in the event of such maxima being exceeded.
§ 13. Mr. Peter Robertsasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps he is taking to ensure that the information published in the fuel offices and merchants' offices of the quality of the domestic coal to be supplied by the Coal Board under the new selling scheme will be sufficiently clear in analysis to allow easy check by analysis of the quality of coal delivered.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerThe National Coal Board and the distributive coal trade are agreed that the analysis of coal by calorific value and ash content would not provide a satisfactory basis for the price structure of household coal. The Board have an organisation at their pits to ensure that the coal which is classified as belonging to any given group is of the proper quality. The merchants, of course, examine the coal which they receive to see that it is up to standard. If the quality of a particular coal deteriorates, either because of changes in the seam, or for some other reason, that coal will be re-classified in a lower and cheaper group.
§ Mr. NabarroDoes the right hon. Gentleman's reply about re-classification mean that there will not be abated even one jot the principal complaint of the domestic consumer, which is dirty and slaty coal? Why cannot the consumer sue the Coal Board in those circumstances?
§ Mr. RobertsWe must get this point quite clear. Is it not correct that in the statement orginally made, I understand not in this House, it was said that these qualities of coal were to be subject to analysis? What rights has either a merchant or a subsequent purchaser if the coal delivered by the Coal Board is below the standard set out in the fuel offices?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerAs I tried to explain in my answer, analysis by calorific value does not give what is required because some fuels of very high calorific value are difficult to light or have other characteristics which are irritating to the housewife. The price structure must be based on the characteristics that will suit the consumer.
Colonel ClarkeEven if calorific value may be difficult for the housewife to understand, why cannot there be an ash test, as all housewives understand the pro-proportion of ash in the coal? That is a very simple test.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerIf there is a very high ash content it will tend to put the coal in a lower category, other things being equal. Under this scheme the householder will pay less for that coal than previously.
§ Sir Herbert WilliamsThe Minister says that the ash content does not matter and that the calorific value does not matter. Will he tell us what does matter in classifying coal?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerYes. I have said that both those things are factors, but there are also other factors. [HON. MEMBERS: "What are they?"] Intensity of radiation—in other words, the heat that the coal gives out in domestic use—the ease with which it is lighted, the way in which it keeps burning, and other things to which the housewife attaches importance.
§ Mr. Sydney SilvermanWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that it is the common experience of most Members of the House and of the public that since he made his investigation a few months ago the general position has vastly improved?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerI am glad to say that the coal distributive trade are in agreement with that view.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether, as a redress for dissatisfaction about the quality of the coal the customer has the right to sue the Coal Board, as he had in the old days to sue the colliery?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerI should like notice of that question, but the right hon. Gentleman knows perfectly well what the procedure is, and in the opinion of the merchants it is the most suitable.
§ Mr. P. RobertsIn view of the most unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I shall endeavour to raise this matter on the Adjournment.