§ Mr. A. SHORTasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the supplies of coal to the South Staffordshire Mond Gas Company are not equal to the needs of the company; whether many individual concerns are in danger of closing down, involving unemployment of their workpeople, owing to the supplies of gas being reduced or cut off; whether such shortage of coal is due to faulty transport facilities; and, if so, will he take immediate steps to improve the existing transport arrangements?
§ Mr. NEALAs regards the South Staffordshire Mond Gas Company, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade to the hon. and gallant Member for Walsall (Sir R. Cooper) on the 1st March. My hon. Friend is no doubt aware that priority of transit is being given to coal for public utility and domestic purposes to relieve the present shortage. I am informed that the methods adopted are working satisfactorily.