§ 71. Mr. Price-Whiteasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware of the failure to deliver to members of the North Wales Coal Merchants' Federation the actual tonnage allocated to them under his Department's distribution scheme; and if he is satisfied that the system of cushion tonnage is, in fact, preferable to a system whereby weekly allocations are guaranteed of delivery.
§ Mr. ShinwellThe deficiency on allocation in North Wales has been higher this winter than in other parts of the country, due mainly to shortages in supplies from the North Staffordshire coalfield. With regard to the second part of the Question, all supplies of house coal estimated to be available are programmed direct to merchants with the exception of a small cushion tonnage, less than two of the allocation, which is reserved to adjust the more serious disparities between districts arising from the general coal shortage. The retention of this small cushion tonnage is essential.