§ Mr. Hammersleyasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that, arising from the classification of residential flats as commercial premises, all supplies of coal have been cut off from many flats and, in consequence, those residential flats, unable to use coke by reason of being equipped with automatic stokers, will be without any form of heating until their equipment can be converted; and will he give instructions that this embargo on the supplies of normal fuel will be postponed until a more suitable time of the year.
Major Lloyd GeorgeThe increasing stringency of the coal situation is such that I cannot any longer justify the supply of valuable graded coal for purely heating purposes in non-industrial establishments; supplies are accordingly being withdrawn and the consumers concerned advised to make arrangements to use coke. In the particular case which my hon. Friend has raised in his letter, our officers are making efforts to see that supplies are available to a sufficient extent to enable the consumer, together with the stock he holds, to carry on until any necessary modifications to his equipment have been made to enable him to use coke. In all such cases consumers would be well advised at once to get in touch with the manufacturers of their heating equipment and secure their assistance in making any necessary modifications as quickly as possible. There is no possibility of maintaining graded coal supplies for any appreciable period.