HC Deb 18 February 1920 vol 125 cc915-6W
Mr. CROOKS

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received a resolution from the Woolwich borough council stating that unprecedented shortage of coal for domestic purposes is causing misery and hardship to many inhabitants who possess neither the means nor the facilities for storing coal; that the export of coal should be stopped until such time as all working-class localities in this country are in receipt of normal supplies of coal; that the Government shall give clear instructions to the Coal Controller to at once take all necessary steps to obtain and maintain an adequate supply of domestic coal through normal trade channels; that the Prime Minister be asked to institute an inquiry into the administration of the Coal Mines Department, the failure of that department to secure adequate supplies of reserve coal to local authorities who have endeavoured to protect the interest of the poor of their localities, and the reasons for the prolonged shortage of coal to the ordinary consumer, despite the fact that for some time past there has been a progressive increase in the quantity of coal produced in this country over the quantity produced 12 months ago; and whether he proposes to take any action in this matter?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

I have received a copy of the resolution. Everything possible is being done to improve supplies of coal for domestic purposes and in this connection I would refer the hop. Member to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Holborn by the Leader of the House on Monday last.

Mr. N. MACLEAN

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Greenock Co-operative Society have never been in a position to supply their customers with the minimum allowance of two bags of coal per week; that deliveries from the Kilmarnock Cooperative Society are several weeks in arrears; that practically all the co-operative societies in Glasgow and district are unable to meet their customers' requirements; and whether he will take action to secure the allocation of sufficient coal for household purposes?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

I am having inquiries made into the matters raised and will let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.