§ 4. Mr. T. Smithasked the Secretary for Mines whether he is in a position to state the nature of the reply sent to the wire received from Bagley and Company, Knottingley, with regard to shortage of coal for their factories engaged on essential production?
§ Mr. GrenfellThe firm to which my hon. Friend refers received a reply to their telegram of 3rd April on the following day. This reply stated that the Divisional Coal Officer at Leeds had been asked to give his urgent attention to their coal supplies and I understand that he has done so. Messrs. Bagley and Company, Limited, are manufacturers of glass containers, and the amount of coal which can be released to them in present circumstances must depend upon the requirements of other consumers of greater national importance.
§ Mr. SmithWhile appreciating the latter part of that reply, may I ask how it comes about that a firm in the midst of a coalfield on essential work can be as much as 200 tons of coal a week short?
§ Mr. GrenfellI understand that these people still have some coal in stock. We have to attend to the priorities, not as laid down by us, but as laid down for us.