§ Mr. Watsonasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what protests he has received in his Department against the policy of curtailing supplies of coal to consumers in certain districts because of stoppages of work; and, in view of the resentment the general public feel over the matter, will he modify his policy in this respect.
§ Mr. T. SmithMy right hon. Friend is aware that consumers in some regions have complained of the hardship caused by the particular shortage of supplies in their own district, but he has received no direct protest as to the unfairness of any special restrictions imposed by my Department in consequence of stoppages at collieries. It is not a question of policy, but an unavoidable necessity, that the effect of such stoppages should be borne largely in the districts normally served by the coalfields concerned, since supplies in total are far short of the requirements, and any diversion of supplies would put a further strain on planned transport programmes which barely suffice to maintain war priority and essential public services.