§ 36. Mr. Goochasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware of the difficulty and distress experienced by housewives in Southrepps and adjacent north Norfolk villages by the coal allowance being reduced to half a hundredweight per week; and if, in view of the fact that there 153W is no gas supply, that most of the villagers have no electricity supply and that the allowance of paraffin is used exclusively for lighting, he will take steps to increase the weekly coal allowance.
§ Mr ShinwellI am not aware that any distress is involved by the fixing of 15 cwts. as the maximum quantity of house coal which may be supplied without licence in the Southern Regions between May and October. Local fuel overseers are authorised to grant, on application, additional supplies to consumers who are entirely dependent on coal for cooking. Notices to this effect are published in the local Press in every district and coal merchants are also aware of the procedure.