asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what practical use is made by his Department of the weekly declaration of stock, delivery and consumption of coal which is made on Form I.R. 9 by all firms consuming more than 6,000 tons of coal and coke per annum.

The industrial return to which the hon. and gallant Member appears to refer is the basic return provided by all industrial firms with a yearly consumption of 100 tons or more of coal or coke. This return is used for drawing up and adjusting programmes and allocations of supplies. Without it no proper distribution of the available supplies would be possible.

Would the right hon. Gentleman not agree that it also provides the very fullest information with regard to the position at any time at factories, the stocks and so on, and in those circumstances why should his Ministry or himself seem to suggest than any factory which had to go short of coal was doing it for political purposes?

I cannot imagine why the hon. and gallant Member should mention the question of political motives. I have expressly deprecated any suggestion that any of the firms made certain demands because of political reasons.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that any member of his party who made such an insinuation was grossly unwarranted in so doing?

We can always rely on the good sense and good judgment of members of the Labour Party.