HC Deb 18 November 1941 vol 376 cc151-2
4. Mr. R. J. Taylor

asked the Secretary for Mines whether negotiations are proceeding to establish coal stocking stations; how long have the negotiations been proceeding; and when are fully-equipped stations to be ready to operate?

The Secretary for Mines (Mr. David Grenfell)

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring, not to the general Government stocking programme, but to the special arrangements which my Department is making to stock coal in the colliery areas in order to minimise the effect on production of possible transport dislocation. These are intended to supplement the normal stocking by collieries at such times. Sites have already been acquired in South Wales, Durham and Northumberland and in each of these areas several sites are ready for use: the remainder are in various stages of completion. The work on these sites is being pressed forward, and I hope that they will all be fully equipped in the near future.

Mr. Taylor

If these sites had been functioning, would it have been necessary for us to lose the time we have lost during the last week or two on account of the lack of empty wagons?

Mr. Grenfell

The purpose of providing these sites was to prevent loss of working time, but they cannot be made ready without site equipment, such as railway sleepers and machinery for handling the coal.

Mr. Lawson

Is my hon. Friend aware that some of the sites for stocking coal were not used, and can he give a guarantee that this year, where local authorities have given sites, they will be used?

Mr. Grenfell

I was anxious not to confuse these two types of sites. The hon. Member for Morpeth (Mr. Taylor) called attention to sites for stocking output as it is delivered from the shaft, while the hon. Member for Chester-le-Street (Mr. Lawson) is thinking of stocking near the point of consumption. Both these means of stocking are well in hand.

Mr. Taylor

Were not these sites expected to be ready for this time of the year, so that they could be in operation on account of a possible shortage?

Mr. Grenfell

The answer is that we had not estimated that it would be so difficult to find appurtenances for stocking, as has since been discovered.

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