§ Mr. GWYNNEasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take immediate steps to remedy the shortage of coal in the areas of the Eastbourne and Hailsham Rural Councils; and whether he is aware that many inhabitants in these districts have been unable to obtain any coal for weeks past, which has entailed suffering, especially to the children, during this cold weather?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANDuring the week ended the 1st February 42 tons of coal were delivered in the Eastbourne rural district and 183 in the Hailsham district. The coal in stock was 16 tons find 213 tons respectively. As, however, there seems to be some shortage in supply, inquiry is being made into the matter, and in the meantime additional quantities of coal are being despatched to the districts in question.
§ Mr. GILBERTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the shortage of supplies of coal to small buyers in several districts of London; and, if such shortage is caused by lack of railway wagons, if he will arrange for Army motor lorries to supply the need for coal to the small consumer during the extreme cold weather?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANCertain steps have been taken with a view to facilitating supplies of coal to small buyers. The shortage 319W of coal has been due mainly to recent losses of output of coal and not to shortage of railway wagons.