§ OUTPUT.
§ 1. Mr. Thorneasked the Secretary for Mines whether the mining industry will be able to produce the 270,000,000 tons of saleable coal per annum that he asked for at the outbreak of the war?
§ The Secretary for Mines (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd)As the hon. Member will be aware, a Coal Production Council has been set up, under the chairmanship of Lord Portal, to deal with the question of production in all its aspects. I cannot at present give any figure of the output that may prove to be attainable.
§ Mr. T. SmithIn the discussions with the district organisations about increasing the production of coal, is the question of the absorption of unemployed miners into the industry being discussed?
§ 3. Mr. A. Jenkinsasked the Secretary for Mines what immediate steps are being taken to increase the coal production of South Wales and Monmouthshire?
§ Mr. LloydThe chairman of the Coal Production Council has now arranged with the representatives of the colliery owners and mineworkers in South Wales for the establishment in that coalfield of a joint body to co-operate with the Council in securing an increase in production.
§ Mr. JenkinsWhen does the hon. Member expect a decision?
§ Mr. LloydThis work is proceeding on a day-to-day basis, and I will inform the hon. Member when I am in a position to give him an answer on that point.
§ Mr. JenkinsIn view of the urgency of the matter, might I press the Minister to get a decision as speedily as possible?
§ Mr. LloydSo many concrete matters are being dealt with that I would prefer not to make a statement at the moment.