§ 19. Mr. D. J. Williamsasked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many collieries have dispensed with the use of horses for underground haulage; and what progress is being made in the mechanisation of underground transport.
§ Mr. ShinwellThe number of collieries at which horses are employed fell from 1,582 in 1925 to 821 in 1945, and the number of horses from 60,852 to 23,491. This decrease is due largely to the replacement of horses by mechanical methods of transport and is likely to continue.
§ Mr. WilliamsIs not the Minister aware that in many cases the transport arrangements are exceedingly primitive and that men have to travel long distances to and from their work? Is there not a tendency to concentrate on coal face mechanisation while neglecting the most important feature of mechanisation of transport?
§ Mr. ShinwellIt is because haulage arrangements are so primitive that we are presented with difficulties about coal. I agree with my hon. Friend that it is not much use to mechanise the coal face unless we modernise transport facilities.
§ Mr. Peter FreemanWill not the National Coal Board have full power to 2493 deal with this matter? Will they be instructed to complete the mechanisation of coal mines at the earliest possible moment?
§ Mr. ShinwellOne of the primary duties of the National Coal Board will be to mechanise the pits.