§ 60. Lieut.-Colonel Sir A. LAMBERT WARDasked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that more than half the Hull trawlers will be unable to go to sea next month owing to the shortage of coal under the operation of the quota provisions of the Coal Mines Act, 1930; and what action he proposes to take to remedy the situation?
§ 61. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been called to the anticipated difficulties in the supply of bunker 1177 coal to the Hull steam trawler fleets under the working of the Coal Mines Act quota; and what action has been taken?
64. Lieut.-Colonel MOOREasked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been drawn to the complaints from Yorkshire and Nottingham to the effect that under the operation of Clause 1 of the Coal Mines Act production has had to be restricted and as a consequence miners have been thrown out of employment; and what action he proposes to take to deal with this situation?
§ Mr. SHINWELLI have received deputations from the trawler owners and from the Coal Merchants' Federation, and, while it seems clear that at the moment there is no general shortage of coal from the Midland district, fears have been expressed that there may be a shortage of supplies consequent on the reduced quota for March. The difficulties that such a shortage would cause, particularly if the present severe weather continues, were stressed. The British Trawlers' Federation, Limited, and the Coal Merchants' Federation have, at my suggestion, made representations in the matter to the National Committee of Investigation which is constituted under the provisions of Section 5 of the Coal Mines Act, 1930, to investigate complaints with regard to the Central Scheme in force under that Act. The National Committee is meeting on Thursday morning to consider these representations.
While the Act confers no power upon the Government to intervene in the administration of the schemes in force thereunder, I have written to the Central Council and the Executive Board of the Midland (Amalgamated) Scheme, calling their attention to the provisions of the Central Scheme which are designed to deal with increases in the district allocation to meet an increased demand for coal or any class of coal. I do not think the hon. and gallant Members for Central and North-West Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy and Sir A. Lambert Ward) need have any fears about supplies for trawlers next month when a new allocation of coal for the districts takes effect.
§ Sir A. LAMBERT WARDCan the hon. Member tell us how long that investigation is going to take, because, as things are at present, there will be a 1178 definite shortage of coal for trawlers unless an alteration is made.
§ Mr. SHINWELLIt need not take more than a few hours; but I do not share the hon. and gallant Member's view that there will be a definite shortage. My information is to the contrary effect.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs my hon. Friend aware that it is absolutely necessary in the case of working a steam trawling fleet that they shall know some weeks ahead what coal is available and will he represent this to the central committee, as otherwise a great many of our trawlers will have to stop going to sea?
§ Mr. SHINWELLI have already told the House that representations will be made by the interested parties—namely, the Trawler Owners' Association and the Coal Merchants' Federation to the National Committee of Investigation tomorrow. My information, which is supported by the Trawlers' Federation, is that at the moment there is no fear of a shortage of coal, and we are satisfied, when the next allocation Is made, that there will be no shortage.
§ Mr. WOMERSLEYOn a point of Order.
§ Mr. SPEAKERI called the hon. and gallant Member for Ayr Burghs (Lieut.-Colonel Moore).
Lieut.-Colonel MOOREIs the hon. Member aware that, as a result of pursuing his policy outlined in the Bill, it will mean an increase of 2s. per ton in the price of coal and, therefore, with the winter coming on will he not take an opportunity of consulting the interested parties in this matter?
§ Mr. SHINWELLThe increase in the cost of coal referred to by the hon. and gallant Member has not transpired so far. As regards the shortage of coal, I pointed out in a reply to a question yesterday that there has been an under-production of coal, having regard to the allocation of 3,000,000 tons up to the end of February.
§ Mr. WOMERSLEYIs the Minister aware that vessels were held up in Grimsby yesterday, because they could not get coal?
§ Mr. SHINWELLIf the hon. Member has definite information to that effect he might let me have it. It would enable me to act. I am not in receipt of such information so far, but no doubt it will be put before the appropriate body to-morrow.
§ Sir A. LAMBERT WARDIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the question on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.
§ Major BEAUMONT THOMAS(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary for Mines whether, in view of the grave shortage of house coal in the Birmingham district and consequent suffering amongst the residents, he will take steps at once to suspend the operation of the quota system in the Coal Mines Act?
§ Mr. SHINWELLFrom inquiries that I have caused to be made in the short time at my disposal since I was aware that this question was to be asked, I can find no evidence to support the statement that there is a grave shortage of house coal in the Birmingham district. I am advised that while there may be a little difficulty in securing one or two qualities of house coal, there are adequate supplies of other qualities. In these circumstances, I could not advise Parliament to take the drastic steps suggested by the hon. and gallant Member.
§ Major THOMASIs the hon. Gentleman aware that one of the largest suppliers of coal in Birmingham, namely, the Ten Acres Co-operative Society was unable to supply more than 60 per cent. of its customers last week, although at a higher price; and is he further aware that two of the chief collieries supplying this society have written to say that, although they have demands for an output of five days a week, they are only able to work half time?
§ Mr. SHINWELLI imagine that it would be rather extraordinary if a cooperative society in Birmingham, experiencing such a shortage of coal, did not make representation to the Mines Department or the Committee of Investigation
§ Sir PHILIP CUNLIFFE- LISTERDoes not the hon. Gentleman agree that 1180 it is vitally necessary that there should be a power of elasticity which would enable the demand immediately to be met; and that people who need coal should not be driven to a tribunal?
§ Mr. SHINWELLAs the right hon. Gentleman is aware there is a power of elasticity, but that power is vested, not in the Mines Department, but in the hands of the Central Council of Coal-owners, and, if they care to use it, no one will interfere with them.