HC Deb 28 March 1955 vol 539 c17
29. Mr. Collins

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that, despite the emergency arrangements which he recently made, many London merchants have no stocks of coal and are unable to supply their customers; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd

At this time of year merchants are accustomed to rely almost entirely on current supplies from the coalfields, and I am glad to say that these are now coming forward well.

Mr. Collins

Is the Minister aware that the statement he has just made and the statement that he made last week are, in the words of the Society of Coal Merchants, not in accordance with their experience? Is he further aware that in Shoreditch a depot which supplies 20,000 people has no coal and that the railway coal trucks are standing empty and idle? Will he, therefore, do something positive to help people who have to buy their coal every week and rely on it not only for heat but often for cooking?

Mr. Lloyd

The London Society of Coal Merchants announced only the other day that the idea that there was a serious coal famine in London was a silly misstatement.

Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-Davenport

Is not the coal shortage typical of any nationalised industry or State monopoly—worse service at increased cost?

Mr. Collins

Is the Minister aware that his answer is not in accordance with the facts within the knowledge of almost all hon. Members, and that people, particularly in London, are really suffering acute hardship because they just cannot get coal?

Mr. Lloyd

More coal has been delivered in London during the last three weeks than at almost any comparable time in the last eight years.

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