§ 4. Mr. J. Griffithsasked the Secretary for Mines whether he can make a statement as to the progress made in securing an increase in coal production; and the increase in the number of coalmines and coalminers in pursuance of the plan to secure the increase desired?
§ 7. Mr. Gordon Macdonaldasked the Secretary for Mines what action is being taken by his Department to secure a maximum output of coal throughout Great Britain?
§ Mr. LloydDuring the first four months of the war there has been a substantial increase in output as compared with 1938, but as I explained to the hon. Member for Llanelly (Mr. J. Griffiths) on 5th December, the present limitation on the production of coal is the possibility of moving it. Everything possible is being done to expedite the movement of coal by sea and by rail.
§ Mr. ShinwellCan the hon. Gentleman give some indication of the steps his Department are taking to expedite the movement of coal by rail?
§ Mr. LloydWe are in constant touch with the Ministry of Transport, and we are actually moving by rail from the north-east coast to the south coal which normally goes by sea.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsDoes the hon. Gentleman expect to secure the increase of 30,000,000 tons this year?
§ Mr. G. MacdonaldIs the sole difficulty in securing greater output the transportation of coal?
§ Mr. LloydI have said that the present limitation on the production of coal is the possibility of moving it.
§ Mr. A. V. AlexanderIs it not a fact that, in spite of the new railway demurrage charges, coal deliveries are four weeks in arrears and that this week they are short?
§ Mr. LawsonIs the hon. Gentleman taking steps to increase the number of wagons?