§ Mr. Edward Daviesasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what cuts have been made in supplies of household coal to dealers in North Staffordshire since 18th January; and whether such reductions are part of a uniform national adjustment.
§ Mr. ShinwellNo overall cut has been made in supplies of house coal from the North Staffordshire coalfield, but deliveries, except to landsale merchants, since 1st November have been below allocation. Landsale merchants have therefore been receiving more than their share of available supplies and in order to achieve equitable distribution all North Staffordshire collieries were instructed to make uniform deliveries against house coal allocations as from 20th January in all areas including the North Staffordshire district. So long as this instruction remains in force it has the effect of reducing supplies to landsale merchants by approximately 15 per cent.