HC Deb 31 March 1953 vol 513 cc141-2W
84. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many fuel overseers are currently employed by his Department throughout the United Kingdom; what is their function; and what is the annual cost of rationing domestic coal supplies including all overhead costs carried by his Department.

Mr. Joynson-Hicks

The number of local fuel overseers who are employed by local authorities is 1,450, of whom nearly 1,100 are part-time. The principal function of local fuel overseers is to administer, subject to my right hon. Friend's direction, the Coal Distribution Order, 1943, which provides for the regulation of coal supplies to domestic, non-industrial and small industrial premises.

The annual cost of the organisation, including local fuel overseers and their staffs, and Ministry headquarters and regional officers employed on the work of control, is about £1½ million.

85. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will give the terms of his recent decontrol measure for Coalite; how far this includes all domestic processed fuels excluding only anthracite; and. besides house coal and anthracite, what other domestic solid fuels now remain under allocation or rationed by his Department.

Mr. Joynson-Hicks

The Direction given on 13th March, Statutory Instrument No. 423, derestricting Coalite allows it to be supplied in any quantity by any merchant licensed in the consumer's district. The fuels at present subject to restriction are all bituminous coal (other than low grades outside the National Coal Board's house coal quality groups), cannel coal, anthracite (other than duff), dry steam coal, coke (other than breeze) and carbonised manufactured fuels (other than Coalite).

86. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what aggregate quantity of coal was distributed in the United Kingdom domestic market in the 12 months to 15th March, 1953, compared with a similar period in the 12 months to 15th March. 1939; and by how much he estimates current demand for house coal exceeds per annum the tonnage being distributed.

Mr. Joynson-Hicks

Thirty-two million tons of house coal, anthracite and boiler fuel in the last 12 months. This is about three-quarters of the pre-war level of consumption and probably several million tons below the present demand.

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