§ 18. Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of Fuel and Power approximately the amount of Coalite produced and available for domestic consumption during the past six months; and to what extent the demand now exceeds the supply.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydIt is not the practice to divulge information on the activities of individual firms.
§ Mr. SorensenCould not the right hon. Gentleman give me some sort of figure? Is he not aware that there is a shortage of Coalite in some parts of London, particularly in Essex? Is he also aware that there appears to be discrimination in the supply of Coalite to retailers, in view of the fact that the London Co-operative Society has no Coalite to distribute to its customers?
§ Mr. LloydBoth coke in general and Coalite, being a low-temperature coke, are de-restricted at the present time. This particular product is made by one firm and is in short supply. I will make inquiries about the point.
§ Mr. SorensenWill the right hon. Gentleman, when making these inquiries, pay regard to my suggestion that there is possibly discrimination against the London Co-operative Society?