§ Mr. M. Lindsayasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will arrange for householders to be permitted to change their coal merchants.
§ Mr. GaitskellThe Domestic Coal Consumers' Council considered this matter recently at my request and advised against any immediate change in the existing arrangements for the reasons set out in paragraph 33 of their Annual Report, which was presented to the House in July last. Although this question is still under consideration, I do not feel able, as yet, in view of the Council's advice, to allow consumers to change their merchants without the permission of the local fuel overseer.