Mr. E. P. Smith:

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power (1) if he will take steps to ensure that, during the coming summer, all available peat is cut in this country to alleviate next winter's domestic fuel distress; whether he will consider the importation of peat from Eire and elsewhere and if he will fix the price at an economic level and see that supplies are made as 'generally available as possible;

(2) what is the annual production of peat in the British Isles; and if this can be extended.