§ 44. Mr. A. Jenkinsasked the Minister of Shipping the number of ships waiting for coal supplies during the past month at Swansea, Port Talbot, Barry, Cardiff and Newport?
§ The Minister of Shipping (Sir John Gilmour)Including coasting vessels, about 100 vessels were awaiting coal cargoes in South Wales on the 10th March, but I am assured that the position has since then improved.
§ Mr. JenkinsDoes not the Minister regard that as a particularly serious position, in view of the fact that we desire to export as much coal as possible, and that, at the same time, we have unemployed miners in South Wales?
§ Sir J. GilmourYes, Sir; I fully realise that. One of the contributory factors has been the weather conditions, which have interfered with transport, and another has been sickness among miners in the area; but that has improved, and the conditions ire getting better.
§ Mr. JenkinsDoes not the Minister realise that the bad weather finished a considerable time ago, and that those ships are still waiting? Does he not realise also that the ships were waiting before the bad weather came?
§ Sir J. GilmourNot all the ships mentioned are waiting. In fact, a considerable number have sailed.