HC Deb 06 February 1934 vol 285 c957
40. Mr. CAPORN

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give an estimate of the amount of coal that would be required to manufacture in this country the 969,428 tons of iron and steel manufactures thereof imported into and retained in this country during the year 1933; and of the number of days' work the production of such coal would provide for British miners?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

It is not possible, on account of differences in practice to make a close estimate of the amount of coal which would be required if this additional quantity of iron and steel were manufactured in this country, but the amount would probably lie between two and three million tons. The production of such coal in this country might be estimated to provide employment for about 10,000 men for one year.

Mr. PIKE

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that there are 35,000 miners unemployed in the Sheffield district, coalfields?

Mr. LAWSON

Can the right hon. Gentleman give figures for the amount of coal necessary to produce the quantity of steel that is exported?