§ 15. Captain Pilkingtonasked the Paymaster-General what reports and representations he has received regarding the supply of coal to domestic consumers during the period of reduced summer prices; and how far he is satisfied with the arrangements for its distribution during this time.
§ Mr. MaudlingI have received some complaints that merchants in London and 18 the South have been unable to meet quickly a proportion of the orders placed during the period of lowest summer prices. The object of the scheme was to attract orders early in the slack season, an object in which it has clearly succeeded, and it could not be expected, nor was it any part of the scheme, that all the orders—which could be for a full year's ration —would be met within the period.
§ Captain PilkingtonIs my right hon. Friend aware that there is very wide indignation about this? Could not some arrangement be made whereby when people have ordered coal in the summer they pay the prices then ruling and not the higher prices of later on?
§ Mr. MaudlingIt was announced by the National Coal Board in response to requests from the Domestic Coal Consumers Council that any consumer in the South who placed an order before 9th June would get his coal delivered at the price ruling at the time he placed his order.
§ Mr. H. HyndWill the Paymaster-General point out to his hon. and gallant Friend that the distribution side of the coal industry is not nationalised?
§ Mr. MaudlingThere has been some confusion in this case arising from the form of the announcement, and I am sure that it will be made clearer in the future.