§ 64. Sir J. AINSWORTHasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state what steps he is prepared to take to increase the output of coal from the collieries of the United Kingdom; and whether he can see his way to arrange that the Coal Controller should be pre- 1542 pared to provide and supply the necessary amount of coal required to supply the industries and householders of the Kingdom, in the same way that the Food Controller has already provided for the supply of food required by the population of the United Kingdom?
§ Mr. WARDLEEvery effort is being made to diminish the decline in the output of coal which must inevitably result from the withdrawal of 75,000 miners from the mines for the Army. The Army Council are engaged in releasing 25,000 miners of medical categories B2 and B3 now serving at home. The Miners' Federation of Great Britain have given the Prime Minister a pledge to take every step in their power to improve the output, and this pledge is to be carried out by means of the influence of Joint Pit Committees at every colliery and by means of mass meetings and addresses by the miners' leaders in the coalfields. The Executive of the Miners' Federation of Great Britain are also issuing a manifesto on the subject.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODMay I ask my hon. Friend whether they are taking the obvious steps of trying to get back B2 and B3 men from the Army whose return has been authorised, and are extending that to recovering B1 men also?
§ Mr. WARDLEFor the present the B2 and B3 men are being recalled as rapidly as possible.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODAre you taking stops to increase the coal production by getting back the B1 men as well?
§ Mr. WARDLENo; not at present.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODAre you taking any steps to prevent the remainder of the 7,000 men who have been called up recently, but who have not yet gone, from being taken and to retain them in the pits, or are you still further depleting the collieries of the country?
§ Mr. WARDLEI must have notice of that.
§ Colonel ROYDSI beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture if he is aware that the supply of coal for steam ploughing tackle has for some weeks been totally inadequate, and that many sets of steam ploughs are idle and making long and fruitless journeys, and whether arrangements will be made for an immediate and adequate supply of coal for steam ploughing and thrashing?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD Of AGRICULTURE (Sir R. Winfrey)In view of the prospective rationing of coal, the Food Production Department have been in constant touch with the Coal Controller, in order to secure the best possible treatment for agriculture. The Department are represented on the Coal Priority Committee. Independently of this committee, they have been in consultation with the Coal Controller's Office for the purpose of arranging a workable scheme. At a meeting yesterday a tentative agreement was made which would meet the full requirements of agriculture, without interfering with the ordinary channels of trade. Any person not obtaining his full requirements would be supplied on the recommendation of the agricultural executive committee, who would act directly with the district officers of the Coal Controller. This proposal was to be discussed to-day at a meeting of district officers at Birmingham. The result will be known within the next few days. Meanwhile, it is impossible to state the definite shape which the arrangement will take. In any case details will require adjustment.
§ Colonel ROYDSDoes the Coal Controller realise the great loss of food which may result from this tackle standing idle?
§ Sir R. WINFREYWe fully realise it, and are doing our best to press the point on him.