HC Deb 28 November 1963 vol 685 cc454-5
9. Mr. Hilton

asked the Minister of Power what steps he proposes to take to ensure that retail coal merchants in rural areas have adequate supplies of fuel for the coming winter.

Mr. Peyton

The National Coal Board has taken steps to increase production of house coal and, in collaboration with the railways, will seek to ensure that the requirements of individual merchants are met. Merchants in rural areas can assist by building up their stocks to safe levels as soon as possible.

Mr. Hilton

That is all very well, but is the hon. Gentleman aware that even now, as during the summer, coal merchants in rural areas are often unable to get the grades they want to build up stocks for the winter? Is he aware of what happened last winter when there was an acute shortage? Further, is he aware that in many rural and sparsely populated areas the only form of heating is electricity? Will he have another look at this matter and ensure that adequate stocks are available?

Mr. Peyton

There is no overall shortage of house coal, although there has been trouble with and a shortage of certain grades. Over the country as a whole, stocks are better now than they were this time last year, and that is true of the Eastern Region as well.

Mr. Jeger

Would the hon. Gentleman pay attention to one problem in the rural areas? It is that in the past people have been able to burn logs but now, when smokeless zones are introduced in those districts, the burning of logs is prohibited, so that people are thrown back on to using coal when supplies of the smokeless types of fuel are very limited

Mr. Peyton

Certainly. We will not lose sight of that.