HC Deb 26 October 1939 vol 352 cc1576-7W
Mr. Thorne

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has any further statement to make in connection with the rationing of gas and electricity?

Mr. Lloyd

I would refer the hon. Member to the announcement I made on Friday, of which I am sending him a copy.

Mr. Touche

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, in view of the fact that gas and electricity users now have 100 per cent. ration, he will consider the possibility of granting some additional allowance to households where neither gas nor electricity is used for cooking?

Mr. Lloyd

I would draw my hon. Friend's attention to Article 5 of the Fuel and Lighting Order, which provides that extra allowances of coal may be granted by the Local Fuel Overseer in cases of necessity.

Brigadier-General Spears

asked the Secretary for Mines what is the estimated cost of maintaining the Fuel Controllers organisation; and whether any reduction is contemplated as a result of the decision to allow consumers to use as much gas and electric light as their normal consumption?

Mr. Lloyd

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply I gave on the 10th October to the hon. Member for Spennymoor (Mr. Batey). As regards the second part of the question, I anticipate that the number of applications made to Local Fuel Overseers for increased allowances of gas and electricity will be materially reduced by the raising of the rationing percentage from 75 per cent. to 100 per cent., but I cannot give an estimate of the financial saving involved.

Mr. W. R. Duckworth

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware of the existing confusion over electricity rationing set up under the Fuel and Lighting Order; and whether, since consumers have had no official intimation as to how the scheme is to work, he will consider its postponement?

Mr. Lloyd

Information concerning the operation of electricity rationing has been made public on a number of occasions by my Department, and in particular I would refer my hon. Friend to the announcement made on the 20th September, of which I am sending him a copy. As I announced on Friday, it has been decided that, for the time being, electricity should be rationed on the basis of 100 per cent. of previous consumption, and I am not prepared to postpone the Fuel and Lighting Order.