§ 15. Viscount Hinchingbrookeasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what percentage of coalpits is now mechanised; and what is the approximate value of mechanical equipment introduced since 1st January, 1944, from British and American sources, respectively.
Major Lloyd GeorgeThere were 949 coal mines at which coal-cutting machines were in use during the year 1943 and 717 mines at which conveyors and loaders were in use. The percentages of the total number of coal mines at work during that year were 53 and 40 per cent. respectively. The approximate value of mechanical equipment delivered to collieries during the period 1st January to 31st August, 1944, was:
£1,027,900 British equipment, and £168,100 American equipment.
§ Viscount HinchingbrookeWill my right hon. and gallant Friend confirm my own impression that the progress is very far from being satisfactory?
Major Lloyd GeorgeI can assure my noble Friend that it is as fast as, under the circumstances, we can expect.
§ Mr. ColegateIs it not a fact that almost every coal mine in this country is held up because of the failure of manufacturers to supply coal machinery on order at the present time?
Major Lloyd GeorgeThat has been the position, but there has been a tremendous improvement, largely since the Ministry's Mining Supplies Department came into being. The increased capacity available to these manufacturers is very much greater, and I am hopeful—indeed it has been the fact that the leeway has, to a great extent, been made up.
§ Mr. R. J. TaylorMay I ask the right hon. and gallant Gentleman if, in highly mechanised pits, employers are not able to get renewals for conveyors and so on, would not that have a tendency to reduce output?
Major Lloyd GeorgeCertainly, Sir, but that has nothing to do with the previous question of my noble Friend. There is a difficulty in regard to conveyor belting, for instance, which we are largely overcoming and which in a very few months I hope will be completely overcome. 722 Factory space for making the machinery was taken over for munitions but a good deal has been restored to its original purpose and a great deal of leeway has been made up.
§ Mr. KirkwoodArising out of this Question, and other Questions which are always being put in regard to the mining industry of this country, does the Minister not think that the time has arrived to nationalise the mines?