81. Mr. Vaneasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that the placing of the ban on the use of central heating on the same date throughout England is causing hardship in the northern counties of England, where the weather is less warm and dry than in the south of England; and if he will lift the ban in the north until 8th May, the day when it comes into force in Scotland.
§ Mr. ShinwellThe hon. Member will realise that it is extremely difficult, for the purposes of a Statutory Order, to draw any dividing line which may not be open to objection in view of the endless variations of climatic conditions year by year. In view of the extremely serious fuel situation I cannot see my way to relax the provisions of the Order unless and until the weather conditions really justify it.