§ 71. Mr. Donnerasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that coal and in particular Welsh steam coal, for agricultural purposes has to be taken, according to present arrangements, in the house coal scheme provided by the regional house coal officer; that this officer is unable to supply Welsh coal to farmers in North-West Hampshire because no allocation from this coalfield has been made for agricultural purposes; and whether he will take measures to ensure in Hampshire Welsh coal for threshing.
§ Mr. RobensCoal for agricultural purposes in this area is included, as a matter of administrative convenience, in the merchants' allocations under the house coal scheme. There is a shortage of Welsh steam coal arising from the need for increased exports and, in fact, Welsh steam coal has not been supplied in Hampshire since 1944.