FURTHER RESTRICTIONS

The Board of Trade had come to the conclusion, much to their regret, that it would probably be necessary in the near future to establish further restrictions in respect of passenger traffic. It was also proposed within the next few days to cancel a considerable number of passenger trains. With regard to the restrictions as to coal, they had come to the conclusion that they were the minimum that could be made. It might be that all these restrictions might not produce the desired result, and that it might be necessary to extend them a little later on. The electricity and gas companies could only manufacture electricity and gas; it was beyond them to say how those commodities should be used. Therefore it was necessary for the Board of Trade to come to their assistance, and establish some system of rationing. It was proposed to issue an order which would have the effect of restricting the consumption of gas and electricity over a considerable area. He added: “In all counties south of a line from the Wash to the Bristol Channel, we propose that uses of gas and electricity shall be reduced to five-sixths of that consumed in the corresponding quarter last year. This is subject to a minimum allowance. This area is affected more than other parts of the country on account of its remoteness from the coalfields. Certain exceptions would be made in the case of hospitals, nursing homes, and munition works.”