asked the Minister of Power what steps are being taken to see that adequate supplies of domestic coal are available to merchants in South-West Scotland.

With the advance of mechanisation the proportion of large coal has fallen. There are, however, plentiful supplies of "doubles", and these are now being accepted by merchants.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that some merchants are receiving only about one-third of their requirements and that this not only affects the domestic consumer but must also reduce sales at the pithead?

The position is that owing to the cold weather there has been a heavy demand for large coal, but there are plentiful supplies of the smaller graded coal known as "doubles", and these are now being accepted by merchants.