Mr. HUGH EDWARDS (by Private Notice)asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that the collieries in the Neath and Dowlais Valleys in South Wales are only working part-time each week, on account of the continued lack of the necessary transport, and of the further fact that there is an increasing demand for anthracite coal, he can now see his way to avail himself of the opportunity afforded by the change in the military situation to provide these valleys with increased facilities for transport, and so secure for the miners full working time each week henceforth?
§ Colonel SANDERS (Treasurer of the Household)The position in which the anthracite collieries are placed is mainly due to lack of shipping tonnage. No transport restriction has been placed upon anthracite for inland consumption, the limiting factor being the view held by consumers that this fuel is not suitable for general purposes. For some time past the Coal Mines Department have been carrying on a campaign with a view to encouraging the greater use of anthracite mixed with other coal.