HC Deb 14 May 1946 vol 422 cc183-5W
115. Commander Pursey

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the total amount of the stocks of domestic coal in Hull and the stocks held, respectively, by the Cooperative Society, Risdale and Walkers, and the other merchants on 1st May, or nearest date for which records are kept for the new coal year.

Mr. Shinwell:

The total ground stock of domestic coal at depots in the Hull district on 27th April, 1946, was 432 tons. Of this total the Hull Cooperative Society held 88 tons, Messrs. Risdale and Walker 68 tons, and other merchants 276 tons.

116. Commander Pursey

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the date for which the registrations will be taken on which to base the allocation of domestic coal for the new coal year, and at what intervals increases in the allocation will be made for the city of Hull, in order to include new houses completed, bomb-damaged houses repaired, evacuees who return and other new registrations.

Mr. Shinwell:

The present basic weekly allocations to Hull merchants, which will run for six months from 29th April to 27th October, 1946, have been made on the basis of the local fuel overseer's records of registrations as at 25th January, 1946. In addition to the six-monthly basic allocation a small tonnage is set aside for allocation on a four-weekly basis to meet emergencies all over the country, and from the share of this tonnage which may be allocated from time to time to the North Eastern region, allowance has been and will continue to be made so far as supplies permit for increases in the Hull registrations as certified monthly by the Local Fuel Overseer. Basic allocations will be revised for the six months following 27th October.

117. Commander Pursey

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the percentage of the full allocation of 50 cwt. of domestic coal per registered customer supplied to the city of Hull during the coal year ended 30th April, 1946; the percentage supplied, respectively, to the co-operative society, Risdale and Walkers, and the other merchants; and the actual amount of coal which should have been delivered to consumers registered with these three categories of merchants.

Mr. Shinwell:

The percentage of the house coal allocation received during the 12 months ended 30th April by merchants in the Hull district was 91.8. The percentages received by the Hull Co-operative Society, Messrs. Risdale and Walker Limited, and by other Hull merchants were 84.1, 90.6 and 93.9 respectively. This allocation includes house coal used at non-domestic premises, and it is not possible to give a separate average for domestic deliveries which would moreover vary according to the availability of gas or electricity or other special circumstances. The average of the deliveries to all the registered premises in the Hull district was approximately 45.9 cwt; for premises supplied by the Hull Co-operative Society it was 42.1 cwt; for premises supplied by Messrs. Risdale and Walker Limited 45.3 cwt.; and for premises supplied by other merchants 46.9 cwt.