HC Deb 11 November 1943 vol 393 cc1312-3W
Mr. Mathers

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the reason for limiting supplies of coal to consumers of 13 cwts, for nine weeks at a time, when retailers are having their allocations cut down to 1 cwt. per household per week?

Major Lloyd George

Thirteen cwts, is the maximum quantity permitted to be acquired in November and December by consumers in the north, the corresponding quantity in the south being 10 cwts. These maxima were fixed in agreement with the Merchants' Consultative Committee and the consumers' sub-committee of the National Coal Board, and the allocations to merchants were also agreed with the former committee. For a full statement of the reasons why the maximum permitted quantities are above the average quantity available per consumer I would refer my hon. Friend to the

Output per shift at the coalface. Output per shift overall.
1941/2. 1942/3. 1941/2. 1942/3.
Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons.
September Quarter 2.95 2.81 1.06 1.02
December Quarter 2.93 2.90 1.06 1.06
January Quarter 2.88 2.88 1.04 1.05
June Quarter 2.85 2.85 1.03 1.04