§ 19. Mr. G. Williamsasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if, owing to the delay in obtaining delivery of fuel, coal permits due on 1st May may be issued one month before to enable people to obtain their fuel by 1st May.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerAs the hon. Member is aware, every householder is free to purchase a certain total quantity of coal in each period of six months. Within this total, no permits are required. If a consumer needs coal for immediate use, he should be able to arrange with his merchant for early delivery. I see no reason to expect any serious delay in coal deliveries in May. If any difficulty does, in fact, arise, the local fuel officer will help anyone who is in need, and who asks for his assistance.
§ Mr. Burke41, 42 and 43. asked the Minister of Fuel and Power (1) what has the weekly tonnage of coal supplied during April for domestic users in Burnley; how far short of the winter allocation was this amount; what were the sources of this supply; and what percentage was opencast coal;
(2) if he will investigate the complaints made by the Combined Coal Distributors of Burnley regarding inadequate and inferior coal supplies for domestic users in Burnley during April; and state the total weekly tonnage to be allocated to the distributors for domestic users during the summer period;
2W(3) if he has considered the announcement officially made by an employee of the Burnley local office of his Department to the effect that coal shortages for domestic users in Burnley were due to opposition to opencast coal production on the Brunshaw housing site; if this announcement was made with his approval; and What steps he proposes to take in the matter.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerI am making inquiries into the various matters which he has raised, and I will write to him as soon as I can.