§ 27. Mr. HARDIEasked the Secretary for Mines, if there is a shortage of metallurgical coke; how many coke ovens are at work and how many idle; and what amount of coke was imported during the month of January, 1927?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI know there is a shortage in some districts, but I cannot say how many coke ovens are at work and how many are idle. The quantity of coke, other than gas coke, imported during January, 1927, was 17,000 tons.
§ Mr. HARDIEIs it not the fact that a record of the ovens blown in and blown out is obtained week after week, and why cannot we get a return of these figures before the end of the month?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThey are not given week by week, but if the hon. Member will put down a question I will tell him exactly what records are obtained. Certain records of the iron and steel trade are obtained but the hon. Member will appreciate the fact that they only cover about 40 per cent. of the coke ovens. There is no record of the total number of coke ovens.
§ Mr. HARDIEIs it not the fact that in answer to a previous question I got the number of coke ovens that were working and the number that were idle; it was given me in a very short time.
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERFrom time to time a special and lengthy inquiry is made in order to ascertain facts. I have no doubt that, the hon. Member having put his question, a, careful inquiry was made of the whole country.
§ Mr. HARDIEA reply was given in three days.
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThat shows how efficient the department is. I suggest to the hon. Member that it is not a happy moment at which to put a question in view of the long stoppage that has occurred, as it takes time to put coke ovens into order, and the number is increasing each day. A census taken now would not be at all useful.
§ Mr. HARDIEAs there was such great efficiency in the department at the time I asked my last question, how is it that there has been such a degeneration since?