§ Mr. Dribergasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what special steps he is taking to ensure adequate distribution of coal this winter in rural areas which are supplied with neither gas nor electricity.
§ Mr. ShinwellLocal fuel overseers are empowered to authorise by licence additional supplies for those premises entirely dependent on solid fuel, and in the allocation of coal to merchants account is taken of their proportion of rural consumers. Merchants have been required to stock part of their summer supplies as a winter reserve and every effort is being made to increase current production, but rigid economy in consumption will be necessary for all consumers.