HC Deb 30 June 1925 vol 185 cc2213-4
36. Mr. HARDIE

asked the Secretary for Mines the average consumption of coal per 1,000 pounds steam raised in our manufacturing and industrial areas, and the corresponding figures taking an average over the electric power stations?

Colonel LANE-FOX

I regret that no statistics are available which would enable me to answer this question.

Mr. HARDIE

Am I to understand from the answer that neither the Board of Trade nor the Mines Department have the least idea as to what is produced by one pound of coal burnt for steam or used for any other purpose of raising power? Are we to understand that the Departments are so inefficient that we cannot get a figure such as that relating to a big industry?

Mr. SPEAKER

Mr. Rennie Smith.

Mr. HARDIE

I want to protest. I want to ask whether I can have an answer to guide me in future? It is no use my putting down questions, and wasting the time of the House. The reason for not putting down questions will be the absolute ignorance and inefficiency of the Department; and unless I am going to get an answer I give you notice—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order!"] —that I will raise this question as to the inefficiency and the ignorance of the Board of Trade and the Mines Department, on the first opportunity.

Mr. KIRKWOOD

Put that in your pipe and smoke it.