HC Deb 24 July 1947 vol 440 cc161-2W
24. Lady Grant

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the percentage of extra coal over and above official allocation, which is allowed to merchants to meet priority certificates, in the periods May-October and November-April.

Mr. Shinwell

Priority deliveries of coal do not in themselves involve any additional supply and I assume the hon. Member is referring not to these deliveries but to additional quantities licensed by local fuel overseers. When splitting up the available supplies of house coal between the regions and districts, account is taken of the volume of licences issued in previous periods.