HC Deb 17 June 1941 vol 372 cc459-63
7. Mr. T. Smith

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that in the Bourton-on-the-Water district merchants had only sufficient coal to supply their registered customers one week with ½cwt., and another week with 1½ cwts., while the Country Gentlemen's Association was able to send two trucks of coal, containing more than 20 tons, to one customer, and another firm also sent a truckload to another customer; and whether, until supplies become adequate, he will consider placing some limitation on what favoured customers shall receive?

Mr. Grenfell

In order to ensure a more equitable distribution of the available supplies, restrictions on delivery have now been imposed in this area and measures taken to control the disposal of truckloads; I am glad to say that the latest figures indicate some improvement in the supplies position.

Mr. Smith

Will the hon. Member see. that at all times when supplies are short distribution is as equal as possible?

Mr. Grenfell

That is being done. The hon. Member can rest assured that I took up that matter a very long time ago.

8. Major-General Sir Alfred Knox

asked the Secretary for Mines, whether, in view of the closing down a few months ago of two seams of the Haunchwood Colliery in Warwickshire, and the closing of the Tam- worth Colliery at the end of the present month, he has made any special arrangements to ensure the supply of coal to the counties of Berks, Bucks and Oxon, which have been hitherto supplied from War wickshire, and in which there are now serious fears of a shortage of coal?

Mr. Grenfell

Yes, Sir, and I am glad to say that the latest reports indicate some improvement in the position in this area. We shall continue to give special attention to its needs.

Sir A. Knox

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that last year—he may remember the many letters I wrote to him—conditions in that area were very bad, and will he do his best to see that such a state of affairs does not arise again?

Mr. Grenfell

I am sure it will be of comfort to my hon. and gallant Friend to know that the receipts of merchants now exceed their disposals, and that at the present time stocks are rising.

Sir John Mellor

Will the hon. Gentleman also give an assurance that the requirements of local consumers in Warwickshire will also receive full consideration?

Mr. Grenfell

There is a further Question on the Order Paper on that subject.

9. Captain Strickland

asked the Secretary for Mines whether there is yet any improvement in the quantity of household coal available for the citizens of Coventry?

Mr. Grenfell

The latest figures available for this area show a slight increase in supplies and a slight decline in demand. The position continues to receive the special attention of the Department's local officers.

Captain Strickland

Arising out of that answer, is the hon. Gentleman aware that a considerable part of the hold-up is due to the totally inadequate supply of road transport to convey this coal, and that the working of the pool transport is exceedingly unsatisfactory, the wagons not being available to start work in many cases until 10.30 in the morning?

Mr. Grenfell

I know there are shortcomings in transport even yet in certain areas, due to special cases, but I can assure my hon. Friend that supplies do for the moment exceed demand.

10. Captain Strickland

asked the Secretary for Mines what progress there has been with the plans being made by his Department and the Minister of Labour for improving the output of coal in the Warwickshire district?

Mr. Grenfell

The general situation in the mining industry and the steps that are being taken to increase output were reviewed in the course of the Debate in the House on 28th May. Since that date arrangements have been made for a special survey of all men registered as unemployed coal miners with a view to the re-employment of all suitable men. It is also hoped to secure the return to the industry of a number of men who have left it to go into other industries.

Captain Strickland

Is the Minister aware that the country is getting sick and tired of these constant references to a survey that is going to take place, and that this shortage has existed for over 12 months and no adequate effort has been made to deal with it?

Mr. Grenfell

The hon. and gallant Member must be aware that I have myself pressed this matter as strongly as anyone can, and that, in answer to a previous Question, I said that other Departments were involved and that the final decision does not lie with me.

Captain Strickland

Can we rely on the hon. Gentleman to place before the Cabinet this great need, in order to get concerted action?

Mr. Grenfell

I can give that assurance, because I have already done so.

Sir J. Mellor

Last week the hon. Gentleman referred to plans, not to surveys. What plans has he?

Mr. Grenfell

The plans have been published. There is a specification of them. They are known to this House.

Sir A. Knox

Is there any real prospect of increasing the number of men in the mines?

Mr. Grenfell

I hope so.

11. Captain Strickland

asked the Secretary for Mines what quantity of coal was exported from the Warwickshire area in the month of May, 1941; and whether this coal was unsuited for household use in the Coventry district?

Mr. Grenfell

While it is undesirable to give precise figures, speaking in general terms, rather less than one-third of the production of the Warwickshire coalfield is sent outside the immediate area, and a considerable part of this is suitable for house coal. The tonnage despatched to other areas, however, is substantially less than it used to be.

Captain Strickland

Is the Minister still aware of the great shortage of coal in this district and of the need to retain a great proportion of household coal, and of the great difficulty that the industrialists of Coventry are having in getting coal supplies?

Mr. Grenfell

I am fully aware of conditions throughout the country, but the hon. and gallant Member will not claim that Warwickshire should be a separate economic department in the country.

Mr. Gallacher

Is the Minister aware that much of the bad coal production arises from the sabotage of the coal owners, who refuse to have the industry treated as a national industry?

Mr. Speaker rose

—

Mr. Maclean

On a point of Order. Is it out of Order to make a reference of that kind?

Mr. Speaker rose

—

Mr. Maclean

May I state my point of Order?

Mr. Speaker

I know what it is.

Mr. Maclean

You cannot know what it is until I have stated it.

Mr. Speaker

I have heard enough of it to know that it is not a point of Order.

Mr. Maclean

I want to deal with alleged sabotage by workers.

Mr. Speaker

There is nothing about sabotage by workers in this Question.

Mr. Gallacher

Am I not in Order in raising the fact that the mineowners will not allow the mining industry to be treated as a national industry, but insist on treating it as a county industry?

Mr. Speaker

Certainly not, on this Question.