HC Deb 09 July 1919 vol 117 c1853W
Sir ARTHUR FELL

asked the President of the Board of Trade what arrangements have been made for filling large cellars during the summer months to enable those with small cellars to have the winter deliveries of coal; whether coal is only allowed to be supplied in 2-ton deliveries; whether this method can be avoided; and if London is getting its fair proportion of coal compared with the Midland and Northern cities?

Sir A. GEDDES

Coal merchants may commence to make deliveries to their larger customers for stocking purposes as soon as they have made provision for meeting the demands of the smaller consumers during the winter months by establishing reserve stocks of coal to the extent required by the local fuel overseer or by the Controller. The restriction of deliveries to not more than a full load at a time was imposed with the object of securing a fair distribution of available supplies among consumers who had placed orders. The answer to the last part of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative.