HC Deb 25 May 1944 vol 400 cc936-7W
Sir T. Moore

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will consider placing the responsibility for using fuel and heat according to changes in' the weather, on the people, rather than fixing an arbitrary date for use or disuse as the case may be.

Mr. T. Smith

I assume that my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind the controlled premises to which the bans on central and other forms of heating apply. These premises include shops, hotels, restaurants, and the like, which are largely in competition with each other, and my right hon. Friend does not consider that it would be fair to the individual proprietors or that it would commend itself to the general public, that there should be no form of control. If there is control at all, dates must be prescribed, and every possible care is taken in arriving at decisions.