§ Commander Bowerasked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that all registered coal merchants have received a 484W printed circular, H.C.S./293, dated 14th August, 1941, over the printed signature H. W. Cole, Director-General; that there has been no previous intimation to the general trade that such an official exists; and whether he will state the functions of this official?
§ Mr. GrenfellThe general character and objects of the House Coal Distribution (Emergency) Scheme which was set up in August, 1940, by the coal distributive trade, with Mr. H. W. Cole as Director-General, were explained in a Press announcement of 14th August, 1940, and in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Ince (Mr. G. Macdonald) on 21st August, 1940. I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy of both announcement and answer. Since that date, I understand, a high proportion of the coal merchants of standing in the country have been co-operating in the administration of the scheme and, as the Member will appreciate from his own Question, many circulars have been issued to the trade in connection with it.