§ 99. Commander Purseyasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether local coal merchants in Hull, small as well as large, may now be informed weekly, or monthly, of the tonnage of household coal actually supplied to the city, to enable merchants to know whether they are receiving their proper share, to check unfair distribution among both retailers and customers and restore confidence in the trade and the public that distribution will be equitable.
§ Mr. Shinwell:Merchants should have no difficulty in finding out whether they are receiving their proper share of the available supplies. The weekly depot receipts are displayed at the depot manager's office, to which all merchants and dealers operating from the depot have access.
Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will reconsider the decision of rationing coal to the domestic consumer and, where the 79W domestic consumers have space available, permit them to replenish and maintain their stocks of coal during the coming summer.
§ Mr. Shinwell:The maximum quantities permitted under the restrictions are not rations, but the maximum recently fixed for summer deliveries has been placed high enough to allow for the disposal of all the coal likely to be available for stocking at consumers' premises. Supplies received apart from what is necessary for cooking should be stored for winter use. It is essential that substantial reserve stocks should be set aside by merchants for winter supply to those who have no stocking facilities.