HC Deb 06 February 1947 vol 432 cc391-2W
92. Mr. J. Morrison

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why his Department prevented coal merchants for several weeks from disposing of coal during October; and to what extent this holding up of the return of railway wagons to collieries contributed to the further shortage of fuel at the end of the year.

Mr. Shinwell

There was no prohibition during October on merchants' disposals of house coal. A certain amount of

Mr. Shinwell

The figures are as follow:

wagon standage occurred in the South Western Region during this period in areas where merchants' stocking grounds were full but this was kept to a minimum by the diversion of supplies to other stations less favourably placed and in the last week of October by allowing merchants in a few special cases to begin deliveries for the November/December restriction period. The period of stand-age was not abnormal for this time of the year and exercised no appreciable effect on the general fuel position.

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