§ 14. Mr. Nabarroasked the Paymaster-General how much of the aggregate 40 million tons of coal in distributed and undistributed stocks is house coal; and whether he is satisfied that efficient steps are being taken to assure adequate supplies of house coal for next winter, well deployed, spread and stocked among merchants, and in a fashion to prevent 872 local shortages even in severe winter weather conditions.
§ Mr. MaudlingAbout 2½ million tons is suitable, including some 900,000 tons held by merchants. Distribution is a matter for the National Coal Board and the trade, but consumers could help a great deal by buying their coal early.
§ Mr. NabarroWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that 2½ million tons of house coal in stock at present, out of a total stock of 42½ million tons is a very small percentage, and will he make quite sure that householders everywhere are not lulled into a sense of false security of mind, by imagining that this huge surplus of coal is house coal when, in fact, the overwhelming bulk of it is industrial coal unsuitable for house use?
§ Mr. MaudlingThe National Coal Board and the trade are doing all possible to persuade people to take coal in the summer months when distribution is easier, and the more they do so the better.
§ Mr. DarlingTo get the stock position in perspective, would it not be right to point out that most of the stock consists of small coal coming out of the screens and that one must have the small coal if one is to produce the large coal for which there is still an adequate market?
§ Mr. MaudlingI think that the hon. Member is supporting my hon. Friend the Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Nabarro) when he said that the proportion of large coal in stock is fairly small.
§ Mr. NabarroI am the best friend that Sir James Bowman has in the House.