HC Deb 21 July 1926 vol 198 cc1212-4
35. Captain BENN

asked the Secretary for Mines whether any part of the coal purchased by the Government is available for the use of trawlers; if so, at what price; and whether his attention has been called to the fact that many trawlers are laid up for want of fuel at reasonable prices?

Colonel LANE FOX

The coal purchased by the Government is not at present available for trawlers, but they are arranging satisfactorily for their own supplies of foreign coal. With regard to the last part of the question, I am aware that the number of trawlers laid up is large, and this is no doubt, to some extent, due to the increased cost of fuel and the difficulty of obtaining it. But I am advised that another important cause is the decrease in the demand for fish, resulting from the diminished purchasing power of the nation due to unemployment consequent upon the coal stoppage.

Captain BENN

Has not the right hon. Gentleman power, under the Emergency Regulations and so forth, to supply coal at reasonable prices, and is he aware that at Granton alone 60 trawlers arc laid up because coal is costing £2 15s. per ton, whereas previously the price was 18s.?

Colonel LANE FOX

Yes, Sir; but the hon. and gallant Gentleman will remember that Government coal is primarily intended for the relief of small and essential undertakings which have not the particular advantages that trawlers have of being able to bunker abroad.

Mr. KIRKWOOD

Has it not been brought to the notice of the right hon. Gentleman that this coal is absolutely no use for the purpose for which it is being used—[Laughter]—and that it would not be here if it were not for the Fact that the Government are anxious to beat the miners?

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

In the event of the coal stoppage continuing, will the right hon. Gentleman consider making coal available for trawler owners at a reasonable price from the Government imports?

Colonel LANE FOX

Yes, Sir; if the need is sufficient and if other undertakings have been supplied, then, of course, trawlers can be considered, but at the present moment only a coin- paratively small amount of Government coal has arrived, and other needs are much more paramount.

Mr. KIRKWOOD

Can I have reply to my question?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member's question was in the nature of a speech or an argument.

Mr. KIRKWOOD

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman, then, if it is not the case that this coal which he is importing is not so good as British coal?

Colonel LANE FOX

There are many varieties of coal coming from abroad, and I do not know to what particular coal the hon. Gentleman refers.

Mr. KIRKWOOD

Generally speaking.

Colonel LANE FOX

A great deal of the coal that is coining is extremely good.

Mr. PALING

is it the fact that many steamers and railway trains are taking nearly double the usual time for their journeys owing to the bad quality of the coal?

Mr. SPEAKER

That does not arise out of this question, which is about trawlers.