§ 13. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the pottery industry is being seriously handicapped by inability to obtain coal; and what steps he proposes to take to enable this export trade to continue?
§ Sir A. GEDDESI am aware that industry generally, including the pottery industry, is handicapped by inability to obtain adequate supplies of coal, owing to 1650 the fact that the present rate of output is insufficient to meet the normal requirements of the country. Everything possible is being done to provide for the equitable distribution amongst the various industries of such supplies of coal as. are available.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that coal is the raw material of the pottery industry, and is not merely the motive power? Is he further aware that there is sufficient coal produced in the North of Staffordshire, but, unfortunately, it is being shipped out of the country to other industries?
§ Sir A. GEDDESI am well aware of the importance of coal to all industries. I am also well aware that it is necessary to distribute the coal as fairly as we can in view of the shortage, just as it was necessary to distribute food in the past as fairly as necessary, and there is no discrimination against the pottery industry.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs this the way in which the Board of Trade encourages our export trade, which is so important at present?