HC Deb 13 August 1940 vol 364 cc579-80
8. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has considered the Ninth Report from the Select Committee on National Expenditure; what action is being taken; in particular, has action been taken to prepare schemes of co-operative storage and distribution; and can he make a statement on the Ministry's policy raised in the report?

Mr. Grenfell

The report of the Committee is in general accord with the policy which has, in fact, been consistently pursued by my Department for several months. I cannot, of course, compel anyone to stock coal, but consumers of all classes have been consistently urged to lay in reserves wherever supplies are available, and these efforts are meeting with an encouraging response. In addition, stocks are being accumulated at suitable points on Government account, and arrangements are under consideration for facilitating increased stocking by merchants. As stated in reply to the hon. Member for Consett (Mr. David Adams) on 6th August, I hope to make a fuller statement on the subject before the Recess.

Mr. Thorne

Has my hon. Friend notified the local authorities that it is their bounden duty to stock coal to the very highest level?

Mr. Grenfell

Yes, Sir. We have been in communication with the local authorities and have circularised them on two occasions. All of them are fully aware of our intention to have stocks that are as big as possible.

Mr. Ammon

Is not my hon. Friend aware that in many London boroughs there are facilities for storing thousands of tons of coal and that it is said that the merchants are doing their best to prevent these facilities from being used?

Mr. Grenfell

I hope the second part of the Question is not correct. There are degrees of enthusiasm among the merchants, but we are putting a great deal of coal aside even in London. One of the Questions on the Paper to-day refers to a case in London where there has been two months' delay, but that has been overcome, and the coal is being stocked.

Mr. Ammon

Is my hon. Friend aware that in one borough there are this month about 4,000 tons less than the normal requirements, and that there is in that borough accommodation for storing about 20,000 tons to-morrow?

Mr. Grenfell

The accommodation could not be filled to-morrow. One of the problems is that we cannot do all the storing the same day or the same week. The programme extends over three or four months. It is proceeding satisfactorily, and I can assure my hon. Friend that many millions of tons of coal are stored in this country.