§ 25. Sir Waldron Smithersasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether the 8,000,000 tons additional output of coal, for which he has asked in the six months beginning 1st November, is 8,000,000 tons more than was produced in the corresponding period of 1944 and 1945; and, if not, what is the quantity on which the increase asked for is based.
§ Mr. ShinwellThe 8,000,000 ton target is additional to the estimate of 87,000,000 tons for the six months November, 1945, to April, 1946, which was made at the beginning of the coal year.
§ Sir W. SmithersIn future when the Minister is making these communications to the public will he be more explicit and more honest—
§ Mr. ShinwellI have tried to give the public as much information as I could in the circumstances, and, of course, as the hon. Gentleman knows, if any hon. Member wants information I am only too glad to furnish it.
§ Mr. LipsonCan the Minister tell us what is the response to his appeal?
§ Mr. ShinwellWe began the campaign only last week, at the beginning of November, and it is too early to judge—I am hoping for the best—but I would remind hon. Members that I am operating with dwindling manpower. The manpower this time last year was 714,000. At present it is 699,000. In spite of the dwindling manpower, there has been a slight increase in output.
§ Major Guy LloydIs it not also a fact that there has been an appreciable decline in the output per manshift?
§ Mr. ShinwellThe hon. and gallant Gentleman is wrong. In fact, there has been an appreciable increase in the output per manshift.
§ Sir W. SmithersWill the right hon. Gentleman say what is the appreciable increase?
§ Mr. ShinwellYes, I would be glad to do so, as hon. Members are rightly interested in this matter. The increase in output per manshift has gone up in the last six weeks from 1.01 to 1.03.