Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the Minister of Power if he will give a general direction, in the public interest, to the National Coal Board to move stocks of coal from the pithead before the winter to merchant's yards to avoid potential shortages in January and February.
§ Mr. John MorrisNo. I understand that the National Coal Board are now offering merchants a wide range of house coal for early dispatch, and arrangements have been made for close liaison between the Coal Board and British Rail about the movement of coal in the winter months.
46Wpreparing page 122 of Command Paper No. 2764, the National Plan.
§ Mr. Frederick LeeNone. The estimates in the Plan were made by the National Coal Board. I have asked the Chairman to write to the hon. Member.