§ 23. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been called to the continued complaints of shipowners and others, especially on the Humber, Tyne and Clyde, of the delay in obtaining bunkers and cargoes of coal owing to the artificial restriction of output practised by rings of colliery owners; if he is aware that, in addition to the delays experienced on the Humber, vessels are now being kept waiting on the Tyne for a week and even a fortnight, and on the Clyde for 10 days; that similar complaints come from South Wales; whether, for example, he has been informed of the complaints made at the annual meeting of the Clyde Steamship Owners' Association on 28th January; whether he proposes to take any action in the matter; and the number of ships held up at British ports, owing to the scarcity of bunker coal, on the 5th February, 1929?
§ Commodore KINGI have had inquiries made as to the position regarding coal cargoes and bunkers on the Humber, Tyne and Clyde. I can find no serious cases of delay owing to the scarcity of bunker coal, and on the 5th February at all British ports only four cases of delay were reported, one of half a day at West Hartlepool, one of three hours at Middlesbrough, and two of about two hours in South Wales. As regards coal cargoes, I explained the North-East coal position in my reply on the 7th February to the hon. Member for Chester-le-Street (Mr. Lawson). I am informed that the shortage on the Clyde, to which the Clyde Steamship Owners' Association referred, relates to one particular variety of coal, and is due, not to the operation of the Scottish Coal Owners' marketing scheme, but to a breakdown at two collieries supplying that coal. As regards the Humber, steps have been taken which should ensure larger supplies of coal for bunkers and for export. As I stated in the House last week, I have no reason to doubt that the coalowners will take the necessary steps to meet the welcome increased demand for coal, and no action on my part seems to be necessary.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that, although only one or two cases may 209 have been reported to him, it is common knowledge at these ports that not only are ships held up for long periods—far longer than his Department knows of—but also—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. and gallant Member is apparently giving the information for which he is asking in his question.