§ 114. Mr. Shurmerasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that there is still a shortage of domestic coal in the city of Birmingham, some merchants having to inform their customers that they have no coal, which has caused great hardship, especially during the cold spell of the last few weeks; and why coal has been sent from that city to southern counties when there was not sufficient to supply its own citizens.
§ Mr. Shinwell:I am satisfied that Birmingham has received a fair share of the available supplies. Consumers have been advised, through the medium of the Press, to communicate with the local fuel overseer in case of difficulty, and all cases reported have been dealt with satisfactorily Midland coalfields are one of the main sources of supply for southern counties.
§ 120. Commander Purseyasked the Minister of Fuel and Power the nature of the inquiry he has ordered to be held into the maldistribution of coal in Hull; by whom the inquiry is to be conducted; the date on which it will commence; and what steps he intends to take to inform the large number of complainants of the inquiry.
§ Mr. Shinwell:I do not propose to have any formal inquiry such as my Hon. Friend appears to have in mind. Con- 39W siderable investigation has already been made into complaints by and against individual merchants and I am asking my Regional Controller to make supplementary inquiries into any outstanding complaints.