HC Deb 20 October 1952 vol 505 c62W
108 and 109. Brigadier Clarke

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power (1) what is the present cost to the country of maintaining staff to ration domestic fuel;

(2) if he will consider de-rationing domestic fuel, in view of the improved stocks, bearing in mind that the price of coal rations the demand.

Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd

I am anxious to end as soon as possible the present system of control, which costs the country approximately £1½ million a year, but there is no prospect of coal supplies being sufficient to enable this to be done this winter.