§ 28. Mr. HARDIEasked the Secretary for Mines whether the production of metallurgical coke in this country is equal to the country's needs; whether there is a surplus; and, if so, is it exported?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERYes, Sir, in normal times. But production has not yet recovered from the effect of last year's stoppage, and exports at present are very small.
§ Mr. HARDIEIs it not a fact that, apart altogether from the stoppage, there was an abnormal number of coke-ovens shut down which have not opened up yet; and is it not a fact that that is causing great difficulty in getting through pig-iron orders for this country owing to the shortage of coke?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERAfter a long stoppage it is a difficult matter to re-start every coke-oven rapidly and I have no reason to suppose that that is not progressing as quickly as possible.
§ Mr. R. RICHARDSONDoes the right hon. Gentleman know that there are several coke-producing collieries already closed down in Durham and coke-ovens as well?
§ Mr. HARDIECan the right hon. Gentleman give the House any idea of how long it takes to bring a coke-oven into active working order after it has been closed down for even a month or two?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERIt would be very dangerous to give a general answer which, as the hon. Member knows from his technical knowledge on this subject, varies in different circumstances.