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Oral Answers to Questions — Coal Industry. – in the House of Commons at on 16 January 1940.

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Photo of Mr James Griffiths Mr James Griffiths , Llanelly

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can make a statement as to the progress made in securing an increase in coal production; and the increase in the number of coalmines and coalminers in pursuance of the plan to secure the increase desired?

Photo of Mr Gordon Macdonald Mr Gordon Macdonald , Ince

asked the Secretary for Mines what action is being taken by his Department to secure a maximum output of coal throughout Great Britain?

Photo of Mr Geoffrey Lloyd Mr Geoffrey Lloyd , Birmingham, Ladywood

During the first four months of the war there has been a substantial increase in output as compared with 1938, but as I explained to the hon. Member for Llanelly (Mr. J. Griffiths) on 5th December, the present limitation on the production of coal is the possibility of moving it. Everything possible is being done to expedite the movement of coal by sea and by rail.

Photo of Mr Emanuel Shinwell Mr Emanuel Shinwell , Seaham

Can the hon. Gentleman give some indication of the steps his Department are taking to expedite the movement of coal by rail?

Photo of Mr Geoffrey Lloyd Mr Geoffrey Lloyd , Birmingham, Ladywood

We are in constant touch with the Ministry of Transport, and we are actually moving by rail from the north-east coast to the south coal which normally goes by sea.

Photo of Mr James Griffiths Mr James Griffiths , Llanelly

Does the hon. Gentleman expect to secure the increase of 30,000,000 tons this year?

Photo of Mr Geoffrey Lloyd Mr Geoffrey Lloyd , Birmingham, Ladywood

I cannot deal with that in answer to a supplementary question.

Photo of Mr Gordon Macdonald Mr Gordon Macdonald , Ince

Is the sole difficulty in securing greater output the transportation of coal?

Photo of Mr Geoffrey Lloyd Mr Geoffrey Lloyd , Birmingham, Ladywood

I have said that the present limitation on the production of coal is the possibility of moving it.

Photo of Mr Albert Alexander Mr Albert Alexander , Sheffield, Hillsborough

Is it not a fact that, in spite of the new railway demurrage charges, coal deliveries are four weeks in arrears and that this week they are short?

Photo of Mr Geoffrey Lloyd Mr Geoffrey Lloyd , Birmingham, Ladywood

I would ask the right hon. Gentleman to put that question down.

Photo of Mr Jack Lawson Mr Jack Lawson , Chester-le-Street

Is the hon. Gentleman taking steps to increase the number of wagons?

Photo of Mr Geoffrey Lloyd Mr Geoffrey Lloyd , Birmingham, Ladywood

That is a matter for the Minister of Transport.

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