§ 43. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he is examining into the figures of the probable demand for British coal abroad during the remainder of this year and next year with a view to warning colliery proprietors against over-production; whether he is supplied with the figures of production and consumption of coal abroad and the expected world demand for coal; and whether any policy. to prevent over-production either through international action or by international agreement is being examined into?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Colonel Lane Fox)I have been asked to reply. I am supplied with figures of production of coal abroad, and of import and export, but future demand depends on factors which are incalculable. I am, of course, in constant touch with colliery proprietors, and any facts and figures that are in my possession are always available to them. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer that I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Stourbridge (Mr. Wellock).
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that in the United States the collection of statistics of consumption and production has been reduced to a very careful process, and is of great value to manufacturers: and will he examine this with a view to assisting our own coal trade in the same way?
§ Colonel LANE FOXYes, Sir, but I doubt whether their figures are any more complete than ours.
§ Mr. AUSTIN HOPKINSONIs the Secretary for Mines aware that there is no such thing as over-production of coal?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIs the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware of the fact that the trouble from which we are suffering in this country is the over-production of all the necessaries of life, never mind coal?
§ 44. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary for Mines if he has figures showing the annual production of coal in Europe and America and the annual world production, respectively, in 1913, and the corresponding figures for 1926, and the estimated figures for the present year; and if he is examining into the question of over-production of coal as affecting the British export trade?
§ Colonel LANE FOXIn 1913, Europe produced 632 million tons, and North America 531 million tons, and the total world production is estimated to have been 1,242 million tons. The corresponding figures for 1926, are respectively 497 million tons, 614 million tons and 1,220 million tons. The material is not available for making an estimate for 1927. All these figures include the coal equivalent of lignite. Those for 1926 are preliminary, and subject to revision. I have dealt with the rest of the hon. and gallant Member's question in the reply that I have just given to his other question.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYDo I understand that the Mines Department is addressing itself to the very important matter dealt with in the last part of my question. Is that subject under close examination by the right hon. and gallant Gentleman's Department?
§ Colonel LANE FOXYes, Sir.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWhat happens to the results of the labours of the Department? Are they given to the colliery proprietors or do they remain in the pigeon-holes?
§ Colonel LANE FOXThey are given to whoever requires them—either colliery proprietors or hon. Members of this House who wish to have the information.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYDoes the Department wait for the colliery proprietors to ask for the information, or is it given to them when it is of value to them?
§ Colonel LANE FOXIf there be any information which we think is of value, we pass it on. If there be anything which they want to know from us, they come to us for it.