§ Mr. Dribergasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that, despite assurances given by his Ministry on 22nd June and 31st July last, and despite some temporary improvement caused by the installation of a booster, the domestic gas supply at Witham, Essex, is so inadequate that it took one housewife 27 minutes to boil a kettle on the morning of 19th August; and if he will take immediate steps to improve this service.
§ Mr. ShinwellI am aware that the gas supply at Witham is not satisfactory. I understand that the cause of the present trouble is that it has been necessary for the undertaking to shut down part of the carbonising plant for repairs and that the amount of gas that can be manufactured in the remainder is not sufficient to meet fully existing demands unless coal of better gas-making quality can be supplied. It is anticipated that all the plant will be in production by Sunday next, 26th August.