Lieut.-Commander Hutchisonasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether 160W he will now grant freedom to coal merchants to choose the pit and grade of coal most suitable to the requirements of their customers.
§ Mr. GaitskellI regret that until supplies approximate more closely to total requirements for both inland and export markets, it will be necessary to continue to include a proportion of lower grade coals in the allocations for domestic use. It is not yet possible, therefore, to give coal merchants complete freedom in the choice of pits or grades of coal. I am glad to announce, however, that simultaneously with the restoration to the domestic consumer of the right to change his coal merchant, merchants will be given a limited choice of supplies for domestic use as from 1st May next. The necessary arrangements have been agreed between the National Coal Board and the distributive trade.