§ Mr. Hannahasked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware of the concern felt by the small engineering firms at the prospect of being rationed to 75 per cent, of their former amount of coal; and whether he will see that those doing work of national importance get their minimum requirement's?
§ Mr. LloydYes, Sir. It is essential that small engineering firms engaged on work of national importance should not be subject to coal rationing. The local fuel overseer has power under Article 1 of the Fuel and Lighting Order to grant exemption to small industrial undertakings, and I have issued instructions that such firms which are normally engaged on, or have turned over to, work of national importance shall not be rationed.