HC Deb 27 January 1958 vol 581 cc10-1W
73. Mr. Hamilton

asked the Paymaster-General if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the legal protections in his regulations available to the housewife on the delivery of household fuel; and whether he will take steps, by means of a national publicity campaign, to ensure that all are aware of such protection.

Sir I. Horobin

The effect of the Retail Coal Prices Order, 1941, is that coal can be sold retail only at a price within the maximum prescribed for each grade by the Minister. Where the quantity supplied is more than 2 cwts the merchant must provide his customer with a delivery note showing the grade and price of the coal supplied.

Copies of the relevant schedule of prices and grades must be exhibited in the Local Fuel Overseer's and merchants' offices, and a coal deliveryman must produce to the purchaser, on request, a copy of the schedule of prices, or that part of it which relates to the coal he is supplying.

These provisions have been in force since the early days of the war, and I do not think they need to be given any further publicity than they will no doubt receive through this reply to the hon. Member's Question.