5. Air Commodore Harveyasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what are the existing coal stocks at Macclesfield and Congleton; how these compare with the previous year; and what steps are being taken to ensure sufficient coal supplies for industry and household use this coming autumn.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydI am making inquiries about stocks and I will write to my hon. and gallant Friend as soon as possible. As to the prospects for next winter, I would refer him to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Ladywood (Mr. V. Yates) and my hon. Friend the Member for Barry (Mr. Gower) on 27th June.
Air Commodore HarveyDoes my right hon. Friend recall that last winter both Macclesfield and Congleton were very short of coal indeed? Will he take steps to ensure that that is not repeated this winter?
§ Mr. LloydThe stocks in those places have been adversely affected by the railway strike, but the matter is under review at the moment and steps are being taken to put it right.
§ 11. Mr. V. Yatesasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that 15,000 new houses have been built in the Midlands; that no extra coal has been allocated to meet this increased demand; and if he will take immediate steps to remedy this position.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydNo, Sir. The House Coal Distribution (Emergency) Scheme in making allocations takes full account of the additional registrations in each region.
§ Mr. YatesMy information is that when the allocation was fixed in the Midlands from May, although it was pointed out that 15,000 houses had been added, no allocation whatsoever was made in respect of those houses. Will the right hon. Gentleman investigate that?
§ Mr. LloydA few houses were built in the Midlands even during the time of the last Government and there was no increase in the allocation. The hon. Member must appreciate that there is a steady expansion all the time in the use of gas and electricity which, overall, does slightly reduce the need.
§ 12. Mr. V. Yatesasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that the summer allocation of coal to Birmingham householders is under 1 cwt. per week; that the stocks of domestic coal in the city will not permit this quantity to be delivered to each customer; and what action he proposes to take.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydAs I told the hon. Member on 4th July, allocations are about the same as they have been for some years past. On the latest date for which figures are available stocks were 50 per cent. larger than at the comparable date in any of the last five years and summer disposals up to the same date were above the average. There is therefore no reason to think that supplies will be insufficient to meet demand during the summer and, as I told the hon. Member on 27th June, all possible steps are being taken to build up adequate supplies for next winter.
§ Mr. YatesWhy does the Minister refuse to give the information? In my Question I am stating the fact that the coal dealers cannot deliver what has been allocated. Surely some action ought to be taken. I have consulted dealers who are speaking on behalf of 100,000 consumers in Birmingham.