7. Major NEWMANasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has been able to estimate the reduction in the output of coal that will be entailed by the reduction of working hours as from July next; and if he will say what measures are being taken to prevent the hardship to the householder from a shortage of coal being repeated in the winter of this year or from any further rise in price?
§ Sir A. GEDDESThe reduction in the output of coal that will be entailed by the reduction of working hours is estimated in the Sankey Report at about 10 per cent. 'The modifications that may have to be made in the Household Fuel and Lighting Order to meet the shortage of coal during the coming winter are now under consideration.
Colonel THORNEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of the coalfields in Nottingham are working short time because they cannot get trucks?
§ Sir A. GEDDESI cannot say more than that I have been over a preliminary draft of them, and there are not sufficient data, until we know exactly what the effect of the reduced working hours will be upon output, to decide exactly the form the Regulations shall take.
§ Mr. LAMBERTCan he assure us that there will be no further increase of prices to consumers?
§ Sir A. GEDDESNo, it is not possible to say what is going to happen in the future, but we will do our best to see that there is no increase in prices.
§ Mr. BILLINGHaving regard to the statement that they anticipate a coal shortage in the coming winter, will he see that the export of coal ceases, so that we may have a reserve in this country?
§ Sir A. GEDDESIf all export of coal were to cease, there might be something much worse than a coal shortage in this country.