§ Mr. Buchananasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what special steps he has taken to secure a fair distribution of coal to people living in tenement houses who have no place of storage, particularly in Glasgow.
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§ Mr. T. SmithMy right hon. Friend announced on 6th November the introduction as from 1st December of arrangements to give priority of delivery to domestic consumers without storage space, such as the occupiers of tenement houses in Glasgow. These arrangements should ensure that such people get their fair share of the supplies available. The general supply position in Scotland is tight, but my right hon. Friend has authorised exceptional measures, including a programme of regular withdrawals from Government reserve stocks in order to make slightly more coal available than was the case last year. Similarly, the maximum permitted quantity of house coal has been fixed at a slightly higher level for the first half of this winter than it was last year. Consumers who are unable to obtain enough coal for their reasonable needs should approach the Local Fuel Overseer.