§ Mr. Mainwaringasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will consider increasing the allocation of coal for the coming winter to households having no alternative fuel for cooking purposes.
Major Lloyd GeorgeI would refer my hon. Friend to the lengthy reply I gave him on this subject qn 23rd November last, in which I explained that there is no specific allocation or ration of coal for each household, and dealt with the position of houses not provided with gas or electricity. The general allocation of coal to merchants in areas not provided with gas and electricity is higher than in other areas, and merchants are responsible for distributing their available supplies in accordance with the varying requirements of their individual consumers within the restrictions prescribed from time to time. If the permitted amounts prescribed are inadequate for the genuine needs of premises without gas and electricity, the occupier should apply to his Local Fuel Overseer for a licence to obtain additional supplies.