asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if, in view of the present scarcity of coal and of the increasing danger of a greater shortage of fuel, he will take such steps as may be necessary to secure public cooking, heating and drying facilities for those who may have need for them owing to their inability to secure the necessary fuel for those purposes.

The Government are taking appropriate steps to ensure a supply of fuel for domestic use during the coming winter. I may also say that full consideration is being given to arrangements for the provision of cooked meals if such a course should be found necessary.