§ 42. Mr. Oliverasked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware of the great difficulty being experienced by the Ilkeston and Heanor Water Board to obtain the necessary supplies of coal for its statutory undertaking, and that out of 16 forms sent out inviting tenders for 4,300 tons of coal, four companies stated they had no coal to offer, 10 did not reply, and only two quoted, and then only for a quantity, which left a deficiency of 200 tons; and whether, in view of these difficulties and the volume of unemployment among miners, he will makes representation to the appropriate body or take other steps to adjust this position?
§ Captain CrookshankI have made inquiries into this case and I understand that this is not the first occasion on which the only collieries that have quoted for the business have been two local collieries which have supplied the water works for many years. I am informed that their 1848 original tenders were for the same quantity as was supplied during the preceding year, but that they have since quoted for the additional requirements of the water works amounting to some 150–200 tons. As regards the second part of the question, no further action appears necessary.
§ Mr. OliverIn view of the fact that this statutory company cannot get the coal it requires, is it not the duty of the Minister to see that it gets the coal, because there are plenty of people ready to work to raise it, and plenty of people prepared to supply it if the selling agency will permit them to sell?
§ Captain CrookshankPerhaps the hon. Member will have a word with me about it, because my information is not the same as his. I am informed that there is no question of the waterworks having been short of coal.