asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has given consideration to the provision of stocks of coal in this country in advance of a possible emergency; and whether it is his intention to advise the public, and, in particular, the smaller domestic consumer, to store emergency supplies of coal?

There is no reason to anticipate any general shortage of coal, but in the circumstances of war it may not always be possible to avoid some temporary and local dislocation of distribution. It would be well therefore for consumers and distributors throughout the country to maintain their stocks of coal in peace time at such a level as will enable them to meet any such temporary shortage.I am aware that the facilities available to domestic consumers for storing coal, particularly in the case of the very small consumers, are often very limited. I do not, therefore, contemplate advising such consumers to store coal, but in consequence it is all the more necessary that the coal merchants and distributors should hold ample supplies.