HC Deb 19 March 1940 vol 358 cc1799-800
44 Mr. A. Jenkins

asked the Secretary for Mines (1) what active steps he is taking to make arrangements for increased coal production in South Wales and Monmouthshire to meet the increase in the foreign demand for coal; and when does he expect production to have expanded sufficiently to meet the demand;

(2) the percentage increase in the output of coal in South Wales and Monmouthshire for the months of January and February of this year as compared with the same two months of last year;

(3) how many ships are waiting in the South Wales ports for coal supplies; and what steps is he taking to ensure that adequate supplies of coal are made avail able to meet the needs of foreign buyers?

Mr. Lloyd

While it is not in the public interest to give precise figures, I can say that, in spite of recent severe difficulties due to the weather and to sickness, the production of coal in South Wales in January and February this year has been substantially higher than in the corresponding period of 1939. Nevertheless, the demand is such that although there were yesterday 57 ships loading in South Wales ports, there were 59 waiting to load. At my request the Joint Standing Consultative Committee of the Mining Association and Mineworkers' Federation of Great Britain has asked the South Wales Conciliation Committee to consider urgently what steps can be taken to increase production in South Wales and Monmouthshire.

Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Moore

Is not the chief question one of distribution, and is not that the condition from which London is suffering at the present time?

Mr. Shinwell

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, if vessels are awaiting coal in some parts of the country where coal is not available, and if there is a difficulty about bunkers, as there undoubtedly is, there is plenty of coal in the North-East and the miners are only too glad to produce it, if they get the chance?

Mr. Jenkins

Is any machinery being used to reopen pits that have been closed, especially pits in South Wales, which might well be reopened, and is the Minister giving consideration to the fact that there is a substantial number of ex-miners who are unemployed in South Wales?

Mr. Lloyd

The hon. Member will appreciate that under the machinery which I have described the question of increasing output in South Wales, as well as in the country generally, is under consideration by representatives of the owners and workmen in the districts, who are, normally, the best judges of what is the most effective means of increasing production. I can only add that I will be ready to consider any proposals made by them.

Mr. Jenkins

When does the Minister expect to report to the House any decision of the Committee?

Mr. Lloyd

It is not a question of the Committee taking decisions. They have taken them and are engaged day by day on this work.

Mr. James Griffiths

If the Minister is so anxious to increase production, has he any power to prevent pits being closed? Is he aware that collieries are being closed at the present time?

Mr. Lloyd

That is also a matter which I think, in the first instance, ought to be considered by the representatives of the owners and the workmen in the districts. I have not the actual power to prevent a pit closing down, but my Department does, in every case brought to its notice, exercise all proper influence to prevent such a happening in a case which should not happen. The hon. Gentleman will be aware that there are certain cases, when seams are worked out, where pits must be closed.

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