§ Mr. Hannanasked the Minister of Power if he will now make a statement on the results of his discussions with the National Coal Board and the coal trade on the Domestic Coal Consumers' Council recommendation concerning the price and grouping of house coal.
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§ Mr. Whitlockasked the Minister of Power when he expects effect to be given to the recommendation of the Domestic Coal Consumers' Council that traders should state the National Coal Board grouping of the different coals they sell.
§ Mr. WoodI told the House of Commons on 21st November, 1960, that the best way of giving effect to this recommendation was for the trade itself to work out a scheme with the producers. The National Coal Board and the trade are today announcing details of a scheme, coming into force on 1st May, which is to be known as the Approved Coal Merchants' Scheme. Merchants joining the Scheme undertake a number of obligations designed to improve their standard of service to domestic consumers. These obligations include an undertaking to state the National Coal Board grouping in any invoice or delivery note for house coal or, where no document is delivered with the coal, to display its group number prominently on the delivery vehicle.
I hope that this scheme will be widely supported by merchants and will make possible a very high standard of service to householders using solid fuel.