§ 99. Sir J. Mellorasked the Minister of Fuel and Power why firms are often required to accept, as part of their allocation and at the full price, coal containing more than 40 per cent. of ash; why accumulations of incombustible coal are treated by fuel officers as stock when authorising future deliveries; and when allocations and prices will be related to quality.
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§ Mr. GaitskellUnder present conditions it is not possible to avoid using a certain proportion of inferior quality fuel, and prices are adjusted in cases of serious departure from contract specifications. The general question of the price structure for the various qualities of the fuel supplied is one which the National Coal Board has under immediate consideration. As regards the second part of the Question, allocations for firms in the summer scheme for industry are fixed on the basis announced by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on 1st May under which stocks are not taken into account.