§ Captain Stricklandasked the Secretary for Mines whether he can now give the figures for house coal disposals to Coventry for the month of June, 1941, showing how they compare with those of May, 1941, and June, 1940?
§ Mr. GrenfellThe figures for which the hon. and gallant Member asks are now available but it would not be in the public interest to disclose them. I am, however, sending them, in confidence, to the hon. Member.
§ Wing-Commander Jamesasked the Secretary for Mines what arrangements have been made to adjust the recent general restrictions on the delivery and stocking of domestic coal for domestic purposes to the special circumstances of individual consumers, especially those living in isolated premises in rural areas?
§ Mr. GrenfellWhile the stocking and delivery limits recently introduced are intended to cover the great majority of domestic consumers in areas with regular coal deliveries, I recognise that there will be a considerable number of cases requiring special treatment. A wide discretion has accordingly been given to local fuel overseers to allow larger quantities on application in individual cases, and in dealing with such applications they have 1545W been instructed to have regard not only to consumption needs but also to any special difficulties of transport. It is not intended, however, to regard those discretionary adjustments as establishing a definite rationing scheme: those restrictions are intended to be temporary and their object remains that of securing the best possible distribution during the summer months of the supplies available for stocking. With this end in view consideration should clearly be given to premises which are difficult of access, especially under winter conditions.