§ 4. Captain Duncanasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what arrangements he has made for the summer stocking up of anthracite.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerArrangements have been made to enable programmed consumers, that is to say, industrial firms, hospitals, and so on, to build up the stocks they need during the summer months. The arrangements are designed to ensure that they get not only the quantities, but also the grades, of anthracite they need.
§ Captain DuncanDoes that programme include horticulturalists, to whom this is of very great importance?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerYes, Sir. I believe it does.
Commander GalbraithIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that some domestic users also require anthracite, which is absolutely unobtainable in some parts of Scotland? What does he propose to do about it?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerAnthracite is in very short supply, largely owing to the lamentable situation in which the anthracite field was left when the Coal Board took over. The Board are spending a great deal of money in re-organising that field and hope to reopen a pit very soon.
Commander GalbraithCan the right hon. Gentleman explain how it was that until the Coal Board took over we could always get anthracite?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerOne of the reasons is that full employment has greatly increased the demand for anthracite.
§ Captain DuncanAre any arrangements being made about summer prices for anthracite?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerPerhaps the hon. and gallant Member will put question down.