* * * * Coal in War-Time On Monday Mr.
Geoffrey Lloyd outlined the Govern- ment's proposals for the control of coal consumption in time of war. There is a thoroughness about these measures which suggests that the Government is becoming increas- ingly conscious not only of the possibility of war, but of the drastic reorganisation which will be necessary as soon as war breaks out. Rationing schemes for coal, gas and electricity have been carefully worked out. The principle appears to be that essential industries must have a prior claim, but that the small domestic consumer need not be deprived of his necessary quota. Any householder who uses two tons of coal a year or less will have this amount allowed him before he comes under the terms of the rationing scheme. The larger domestic consumer will have to plead special cause if he is to exceed the fixed percentage of his requirements. Control of prices will be enforced by the existing coal-marketing schemes, and coal-supplies officers will be sent to the producing areas. Export of coal will, of course, be prohibited. In Mr. Lloyd's presentation of the scheme there was the usual note of governmental optimism. He was perhaps rather too confident that sufficient supplies of coal will be assured for all home needs. But at least the coal queues of the last war may be avoided, and in the initial stages of a war there is every reason to hope that our war- industries will be adequately supplied. And there will be lessons to be learned from the reorganisation scheme even if no war comes.
Previous page
