HC Deb 19 November 1940 vol 365 cc1811-2
26. Mr. J. J. Davidson

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is satisfied with the coal storage plans with regard to the City of Glasgow?

The Secretary for Mines (Mr. David Grenfell)

The coal stocking position in Glasgow is reasonably satisfactory for an area so close to the sources of supply. In the aggregate, the stock held by consumers, by merchants and on Government account is more than 100,000 tons greater than it was at this time last year.

Mr. Davidson

Will the Secretary for Mines keep in mind the suffering that was largely endured last winter after a statement had been made by the previous Minister that everything was satisfactory; and will he keep a very close eye on the position of the people of the City of Glasgow, where they cannot stock adequate supplies of coal in their own households because of the character of the buildings?

Mr. Grenfell

Yes, Sir, and I would also call attention to the conditions of last winter which could not be remedied by the accumulation of stocks. Apart from the system of carrying on the roads to Glasgow as large a quantity as possible under the weather conditions of last winter, Glasgow itself must make some provision in view of a possible recurrence of last year's winter weather.

Mr. Davidson

Will the Secretary for Mines keep in mind and avoid what happened before, when train loads of coal consigned to Glasgow were kept outside and the people of Glasgow were kept waiting for this coal when it should have, been at its destination?

Mr. Grenfell

But the point of my hon. Friend was the fact that the delay was not confined to the rail movement of coal last winter. There was difficulty:in the City of Glasgow itself which I hope will be avoided by the organisation inside Glasgow for the supply of coal which I hope will be made available.

Mr. Davidson

Does the hon. Gentleman infer that the coal muddle of last year was due to the local authorities in Glasgow, and, if so, will he say so plainly, so that we can answer him adequately?

Mr. Grenfell

I made no assertion of the kind.

Mr. Davidson

You said it.

Mr. Grenfell

No, Sir. I said that the weather conditions in Glasgow were so severe that the cart haulage broke down, and even if there had been an abundance of coal in the depots, it would not have been easy to move it about inside the city. I have referred to 100,000 more tons of coal in stock this year, but I cannot guarantee it will reach the consumer unless road cartage is available.

Mr. McGovern

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that Glasgow is ringed by coal mines and that the question last year was largely one of transport; and is he taking steps to see that adequate transport is available in case of difficulty this winter?

Mr. Grenfell

That is what I have said in reply to the hon. Member. It is really a question of transport inside the city, and I am emphasising the point in conjunction with the need of putting the largest possible amount of coal in stock.