§ Mr. Greyasked the Minister of Fuel and Power, if he is able to make a statement on coke supplies for the winter.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerDisposals of gas coke both to industrial and to non-industrial consumers during recent months have been considerably higher than in the same period a year ago; if this were to continue during the present Winter, stocks at gas works would be run down too quickly, and it might not be possible both to enable the gas works to manufacture the full amount of carburretted water gas needed to maintain gas supplies, and also to meet in full the demands of the coke market. Corresponding reductions will be made by the gas works to the less essential consumers whom they supply direct. Hard coke supplies to the merchants will, I hope, be about the same in quantity as they were last winter.
I have the assurance of the industry and of the merchants that it will be possible for them to ensure, on this basis, an equitable distribution of supplies and I have accordingly decided not to re-introduce the statutory restrictions which were in force up to last January. It is most desirable, however, that all users of coke should exercise restraint both in purchasing coke and in using their present stocks. Indeed, full co-operation in this way is essential, if more drastic restrictions on the supply of gas coke are to be avoided.