asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement about the latest position in connection with the supply of solid smokeless fuels during the current winter.

Since I announced measures to relieve expected shortages this winter, an already difficult supply position has been made worse because of production lost through unofficial strikes. Local shortages are unavoidable, but I am sure that producers and distributors, with whom I am in close touch, will do all they can to minimise their effects.