§ 38. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Secretary for Mines whether he can make a statement on the operation of the central selling schemes; and what will be the policy of the Department in the event of a scarcity of any kind of coal?
§ Captain CrookshankI do not quite appreciate what statement the hon. Member desires, but if the reference in the second part of the question to a scarcity of coal is intended to suggest that any present tightness in supplies is due to the operation of the organised selling schemes, the information in my possession does not confirm that suggestion.
§ Mr. BateySurely the Minister would agree that it would be a good thing to have a report on the operation of central selling schemes?
§ Captain CrookshankIf the hon. Member has in mind a general report, I promised that when the central selling schemes were introduced. I said that a report would be published, and that will be done.
§ Captain CrookshankI could not tie myself down at the moment because, as I said at the time, I want a certain amount of experience of the working of the schemes to produce a report which will be of any value at all.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that there is a scarcity in many parts of the country of domestic coal and that the price has risen sharply? Can he state the reason?
§ Mr. E. SmithIn the event of a scarcity of any kind of coal, will the Department take immediate steps to see that production is increased?
§ Mr. H. G. WilliamsHaving regard to the fact that nearly 20 per cent. of the miners are unemployed, why should there be any shortage of coal?
§ Mr. ShinwellCannot we have an answer to these Supplementaries, which are of the highest importance?
§ Captain CrookshankSupplementaries are not all relevant to the original question. I have already answered that, in so far as there is any scarcity or tightness of supply, it is not, in my view, due to the central selling schemes.