§ 15. Mr. Iremongerasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what instructions he has given to his fuel overseers for helping householders to settle complaints.
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksThey have been instructed to advise householders who are dissatisfied about the quality of their coal and, where necessary, to remind merchants of their obligations in this matter, but it is not part of their duty to settle complaints about coal quality.
§ Mr. IremongerIs my hon. Friend aware that there is still general dissatisfaction among householders about the quality of coal supplied to them, by virtue of the fact that the invariable reply of the merchants is that they, in turn, can get no satisfaction from the National Coal Board?
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksNo, Sir; I do not think there is that general feeling at the present time. If my hon. Friend has details of any particular case, I shall be very glad to look into it.
§ Mrs. MannDoes the hon. Gentleman know that, on page 30 of the National Coal Board's Report, it actually complains that merchants are not complaining to it when they get a bad consignment? Surely the public outside do not know that the Coal Board wish complaints to be made about bad consignments? Cannot we have some co-ordination between the Minister and the public, to see that complaints are properly made by the merchants to the Coal Board?
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksMerchants are quite familiar with this procedure, and I know that the Coal Merchants Association in Scotland is most anxious that the allegations which the hon. Lady has made to the House should be substantiated or otherwise.