§ Mr. Mulleyasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he has now completed his inquiries into the arrangements made in Sheffield for the issue of additional coal for persons having no alternative means of cooking; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerI have already written to my hon. Friend about this, as I promise in reply to his earlier Question, and I have given instructions for a reversion to the standard practice in dealing with all applications for additional supplies of coal in Sheffield.
§ Mr. Mulleyasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what was the amount of coal distributed off the ration in Sheffield from 1st May, 1950, to 30th April, 1951, and from 1st May, 1951, to 30th June, 1951; and what was its quality and price.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerThe amount of non-programmed coal sold by the National Coal Board and licensed mines to merchants in Sheffield during the period 1st May, 1950, to 30th April, 1951, was 14,200 tons. In the period 1st May to 30th June, 1951, it was 560 tons. The bulk of the coals were "unscreened" coals of poor quality from opencast sites.264W Prices at the pits or opencast sites ranged from 24s. 3d. to 45s. 9d. per ton in both periods, but 65 per cent. of the tonnage was sold at 30s. per ton at pit, or site.
§ Mr. Mulleyasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware of the fact that while the national average showed a drop of 4.4 per cent. in tonnages of coal received, this amount was 9.2 per cent. in Yorkshire and that Sheffield was particularly badly hit; if he will take steps to see that these arrears of allocation are met as soon as possible so that there can be an adequate and fair distribution of coal in Sheffield this summer to enable all classes of consumer to make some provision for the winter; if his inquiries into the distribution of coal in Sheffield are now complete; and if he will make a statement on the position.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerAs I have said, I have been disappointed at the rate at which coal has been coming forward during the last few weeks in Yorkshire. The latest figures, however, show an improvement both in deliveries to merchants in Yorkshire and in Yorkshire's position in relation to the country as a whole, and Sheffield has been receiving its fair share of the supplies available in the region. I have no reason to believe that the supplies of house coal available in Sheffield are not being fairly distributed.