HC Deb 30 March 1943 vol 388 c24
33. Mr. MacLaren

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power, what action he is taking to deal with surplus coal stocks so as to avoid short time and unemployment in the mining areas?

The Minister of Fuel and Power (Major Lloyd George)

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on 16th March to the hon. Member for Llanelly (Mr. J. Griffiths) a copy of which I am sending to him. Generally speaking, there are no surplus coal stocks, and the question of the avoidance of short time and unemployment does not therefore arise except in special circumstances. If my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind, I should be glad if he would let me know of it.