HC Deb 02 April 1946 vol 421 cc164-5W
120. Commander Pursey

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in view of the maldistribution of coal in Hull, both to merchants and customers, he will arrange for a public inquiry there to allay the misgivings of the citizens and also so that merchants' books of receipts and supplies may be checked, evidence taken from the trade and customers who have not received their percentage share of coal over considerable periods; and steps taken to ensure a more equitable distribution to small customers.

Mr. Shinwell:

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to his Question of 26th March on this matter.

121. Commander Pursey

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the number of registered domestic coal customers in Hull at the beginning of the coal year 1945–46; the number added each month since and the present total; what the weekly allocation of coal to the city was in May, 1945. and what it is today.

Mr. Shinwell:

The following is the information in respect of the nearest dates for which figures are available:

The number of controlled premises registered under the Coal Distribution Order, 1943, including all domestic premises, supplied from depots in the Hull district was:

1st May, 1945 … 99,959
15th June, 1945 … 101,086
31st October, 1945 … 102,981
12th January, 1946 … 106,124
12th February, 1946 … 106,675
12th March, 1946 … 107,055

The house coal weekly allocation for this district for the six months May to October, 1945, was 5,822 tons. This figure was based on an estimate of the coal supplies which would be available between May and October, 1945, which was not in fact realised. The allocation today is 5,285 tons.

122. Commander Pursey

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the average weekly percentage of the coal allocation actually supplied to the Co-operative Wholesale Society and other merchants in Hull, during the 47 weeks of the coal year 1945–46; and what amount of coal should have been supplied to each registered domestic customer in this period or the period for which the latest figures are available.

Mr. Shinwell:

I am obtaining the information asked for by my hon. and gallant Friend and will communicate with him.