§ 34. Mr. E. Fletcherasked the Paymaster-General if he will give a general direction to the National Coal Board to revise and improve their existing arrangements for the screening of coal.
§ Mr. MaudlingNo, Sir. The Board are well aware of the importance of improving coal preparation and have an extensive programme for that purpose.
§ Mr. FletcherIs the Minister aware that I have received a number of complaints from constituents about the very poor quality of coal supplied to them by coal merchants as first quality coal, which very often consists of mere rubbish, is 16 difficult to burn and does not produce any heat? Can the right hon. Gentleman say what he will do to redress this grievance, which is common to a great many parts of this country?
§ Mr. MaudlingIf one of the hon. Gentlemen's constituents tells us that he has received grade 3 or grade 4 coal and is charged for grade 1, then certainly our inspectors will look into the matter, as we did in a recent case to which the hon. Gentleman called our attention. Where in general any consignment of coal to a consumer is found inadequate, the consumer ought to complain to his or her merchant. The case to which the hon. Gentleman drew my attention was dealt with in that way, I think, with quite effective results.
§ Mr. NabarroDo what I did, send it to the Minister.