HC Deb 28 May 1946 vol 423 cc969-70
26. Mr. William Shepherd

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how much of the projected 8,000,000 tons of extra coal production was achieved by 30th April, 1946.

The Minister of Fuel and Power (Mr. Shinwell)

Two million tons.

Mr. Shepherd

In view of the earlier confidence of the Minister, can he say why he failed by such a substantial margin?

Mr. Shinwell

The hon. Member is quite wrong. For the six months period we forecasted 87,000,000 tens. In fact, we gained 89,000,000 tons, so we were 2,000,000 tons to the good. I should have been better pleased if we had got the additional 6,000,000 tons.

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