asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can state the amount of coal held in reserve by the Glasgow Corporation gas and electricity departments, respectively; and whether they offered or released any of this Reserve to Glasgow citizens during the recent coal crisis?

The possibility of making available some of the coal in stock at the Glasgow gas and electricity works for domestic use during the recent shortage was fully explored locally. It was found that only a negligible quantity could be made suitable, and that the screening, which would have been necessary, made any use for this purpose impracticable. I regret I am not in a position to disclose details of the stocks held by these departments.

Can the Secretary for Mines answer that part of the Question, as to whether he attempted to get the stocks available held by the Glasgow Corporation?

Yes, Sir.

Is it not rather significant that while the Glasgow Corporation at that special time were distributing green firewood from the parks they refused to disclose the amount of coal in reserve and did not even put a portion of that in the market to assist the consumers?

The Lord Provost stated to-day that everybody in Glasgow has coal.

That is not true.

It is not the case.

asked the Secretary for Mines what steps are being taken to meet the acute coal shortage in the Borough of Hackney?

As I informed the hon. Members for Romford (Mr. Parker) and North Tottenham (Mr. R. C. Morrison) on Thursday last everything possible is being done to alleviate the difficult position caused by the long spell of extreme weather. As regards Hackney I am able to report that increased supplies have reached the district since the hon. Member put his Question on the Paper.

Is the Secretary for Mines aware that, in spite of these increased supplies which he speaks of to-day, there are only 150 tons in Hackney for domestic consumption to be spread over 60,000 families? Will he give urgent attention to this, because very great suffering indeed is being endured by Hackney people because of the lack of fuel?

My information is that in the last few days several hundred tons of coal have reached Hackney and I expect that will continue?

May I ask the Prime Minister whether he will give his personal attention to the serious position of the coal supply, both in regard to the men in the pits and those standing idle, and the lack of coal for the consumer, and the muddle in the transport situation? Will he give time on Thursday for a full Debate in the House on this matter?

In regard to the last part of the right hon. Gentleman's Question, I heard the Secretary for Mines say just now that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport will be making a statement to-morrow. I suggest it would be better to defer the question of a Debate until that statement has been made. In regard to the other point, I will certainly give my personal consideration to it.

May I ask whether the statement will announce immediate measures to deal with the situation?

I cannot anticipate the statement.

Is the Prime Minister aware that ever since the beginning of the war, in the North and in Yorkshire there has been regular unemployment, the pits have been working for only one or two days a week and we have had no statement made? Is it not time that we hid a definite statement now from the Government?

Unless the situation is improved, although I have been a quiet Member of this House for some time, I shall have to kick up a big row about it.

Is the Prime Minister aware that right throughout Greater London and, indeed, it is true of other parts of the country, there is a great shortage of coal, which is leading to serious social discontent? May I ask him whether he will be willing to receive a deputation from London Labour and Co-operative organisations, for which a request has been made this morning?

I am aware that there has been a serious shortage of coal in many parts of the country, which shortage has been due to the transport difficulties owing to very exceptional circumstances, and the weather, which dislocated the transport system of the country. I do not think anything else could be expected, but everything is being done that can be done to put that right at the earliest possible moment. I have not received any request for a deputation, but when I have received it I will consider it.

Is the Prime Minister not aware that before all this weather was experienced we had thousands of men unemployed in the Durham and Northumberland coalfields?

Is the Prime Minister aware that the Northern Miners' members met the Ministers of Mines, Shipping and Transport on the question of idle time before the severe weather began?

The hon. Member must be aware that the transport difficulties existed before the severe weather came and that they were greatly aggravated by the weather.

In view of the Prime Minister's statement, that he will await what is to be said by the Minister of Transport, to-morrow, I give notice that if that statement does not deal with the immediate situation, we shall ask for time on Thursday to discuss the matter.