HC Deb 08 December 1919 vol 122 cc877-9
22. Mr. L. SCOTT

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the stocks of coal at the pit's head in Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Staffordshire had materially increased since coal for bunkering purposes from these districts had been prohibited for shipment in the Mersey ports; what the total quantity of the accumulated

REPORT of to-day's proceedings. With regard to the second part of the question, Mr. Justice Sankey gave no figures to indicate what, in his opinion, would be the tonnage and value of coal sold for export and bunkers in the year 1919, and I regret, therefore, that I cannot give the information asked for by the hon. Member.

The following is the statement referred to:—

coal now amounted to in each of the said counties; and what steps were being taken to distribute the same?

Sir A. GEDDES

The total stock of coal at the pits' head in the three counties named has increased by 282,000 tons during the period in question, but 243,000 tons of the increase took place during the railway strike.

The total quantity of the coal accumulated at the pit in the three counties at the present time is as follows:

Tons.
Lancashire 165,000
Yorkshire 241,000
Staffordshire 54,000
460,000
The total net increase since the end of the railway strike is only 15,000 tons. Stocks are decreasing in Lancashire and Staffordshire, and every effort is being made to improve the supply of wagons for the transport of coal from collieries in Yorkshire.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

May I ask whether, in view of these figures, the right hon. Gentleman will not permit more coal to be sent from South Yorkshire for export?

Sir A. GEDDES

The whole trouble comes in the sending. That is the whole difficulty—getting it away.