§ 38. Miss Burtonasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what complaints he has received about the quality of coal supplied in Coventry; and what action he proposes to take.
§ Mr. Aubrey JonesI have had only the hon. Member's complaint. Since the quality of coal received by merchants is a matter for their suppliers, I asked the Chairman of the National Coal Board to go into this complaint, and I understand that he has sent the hon. Member a helpful reply.
§ Miss BurtonThat helpful reply has not yet arrived. Is the Minister aware that in Coventry at the weekend I found the worst example to date? Does he know that a truck of coal arrived at Coventry on 5th December, at Coundon railhead; that it had a docket on it which stated that it was "large house coal, group 4"; 909 and that it was 7s. per cwt. to the consumer? Is he further aware that the docket stated that the coal weighed 11 tons 4 cwt. but that the real weight of the coal was three tons less? Is he still further aware that I have here a photograph of the three tins of rubbish on that truck? Does he think it is good enough for the people of Coventry to have stuff like that sent to them?
§ Mr. JonesI am aware that in the case of the first instance brought to my notice by the hon. Lady a mistake was made, and the National Coal Board is putting it right.