§ Sir HENRY HIBBERTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Order of the Coal Controller providing additional coals for schools in order that the children may receive the full benefit of education, which the Coal Controller recognises cannot be achieved unless the children are warm and comfortable, applies to all schools?
Sir A. STANLEYAll schools are dealt with on similar principles and there is no discrimination. The standard of fuel and lighting allowed is believed to be adequate for reasonable comfort and efficiency.
§ Mr. FIELDasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he is aware that complaints are being made regarding the insufficiency of fuel supplies in Dublin city; whether he can arrange that a fair ration of imported coal will be delivered 803W to citizens; whether he can state when the working Irish coal mines will be connected with the main lines; and whether any transit facilities have been provided to enable further supplies of turf and timber; and (2) whether he is aware of the position in which the poor of Dublin are placed regarding fuel supplies; whether he can state what measures are being taken to provide a sufficient quantity of coal, turf, and timber to meet their requirements; and whether he can say when the Irish coal mines will be connected with the main railway lines?
Sir A. STANLEYInstructions were given about a fortnight ago that bellmen and hucksters, who supply the poorer classes, are to have preference and to receive, as far as possible, their 1917 quantities. The recent gale has, however, interfered with shipping, and consequently reduced available supplies. I will endeavour to ascertain whether any steps can be taken locally to increase the supplies of timber and turf. As regards the connection of certain collieries with the railways, the position is that the Athy and Wolfhill line is completed with the exception of the sidings at the collieries, and the Castle-comer and Arigna extension railways are being constructed as rapidly as circumstances permit.
§ Mr. DEVLINasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the coal situation in Belfast, where the working classes are suffering hardship owing to the shortage of coal; whether it is the fact that, although there is sufficient coal arriving in the city to meet the requirements of all classes if there were equitable distribution, the working and poorer classes are unable to procure oven a bag per week; whether he is aware that the wealthy people have been hoarding coal supplies for some time and still continue to order supplies, although, according to the reports of carters, they have their cellars already so full that supplementary accommodation has in many cases to be improvised for the new supplies they are receiving; whether, under existing conditions, the coal merchant has no power to censor fresh orders from customers, with the result that the bellmen are unable to procure supplies for sale to the poorer and more needy section of the community; and whether, in view of this condition of things, he will take 804W immediate action to secure that the coal supplies arriving in Belfast are distributed in such a manner as will meet the requirements of all classes of the community?
Sir A. STANLEYReports have recently been received from Belfast of shortage of coal, which is mainly due to the bad weather which prevailed for some three weeks and interfered with shipping. Instructions were given about a fortnight ago that, in case of shortage in supplies, preference must be given to bellmen and hucksters, to enable them to supply the poor, in preference to those who already have stocks of coal in their possession.