§ 11. Mr. Edward Evansasked the Minister of Fuel and Power why it is that Group I coal is unobtainable in East Suffolk; and when there is likely to be a supply.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydI am afraid that it is not practicable for the National Coal Board to make all the eight qualities of house coal available in all consuming areas.
§ Mr. EvansIs the Minister aware that I am speaking particularly on behalf of the small town of Southwold, which is very much cut off, and that I am not asking for all the eight varieties of coal? Cannot he see his way to allowing at any rate one of these groups of coal, namely, Group 1, to be sent to Southwold?
§ Mr. LloydThe hon. Member may not be asking for all the eight varieties but just for a supply of Group 1, but that is the one variety which is in the shortest supply, forming only 2 per cent. of the large coal available. In fact, none of the quality is produced in the East Midlands coal field. The hon. Gentleman could have a group 2 or Group 3, which are not very different.
§ Mr. EvansWhy should the Minister discriminate against one particular area? Other areas which are much more remote from centres of production get this coal. Southwold is particularly badly placed in the winter, and we want the very best coal.
§ Mr. LloydI am not discriminating. When the Coal Board drew up this scheme, which I thought a good scheme, they tried to make a balance so as to be able to supply most of the varieties that were required in the different areas 837 of the country, and also to avoid uneconomic transportation at too great distances.