§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee)As a result of the restrictions imposed on monday, there had by Wednesday been a total saving of 78,000 tons of coal at power stations. At power stations in the three restricted areas the percentage saving in coal consumption compared with the corresponding days last week was 33 per cent. on Monday, 36 per cent. on Tuesday and 36.7 per cent. on Wednesday. In the three restricted areas generally, power stations' stocks stand at about nine days' consumption for average weather, without the present restrictions. But in the six big London power stations there is only about a week's consumption. Coal stocks at gas undertakings are also giving cause for anxiety, particularly in London, where stocks in general amount to about nine and a half days' consumption, but are considerably lower at some stations.
The rebuilding of stocks to a safety level depends on the movement of coal by sea and rail. Ships are now moving. Twelve ships carrying 21,000 tons of coal reached London in the last 24 hours. Between noon on Tuesday and noon on Thursday 51 ships in all left the North-East coast ports for London carrying 104,000 tons. A further 30 ships carrying 25,500 tons left the North-East coast for other ports. There are still six ships 543 held up in North-East coast ports, and a further 31 are loading today. The railway companies expect a bigger movement of railborne coal today as a result of the very drastic cutting of passenger services announced last night. Although the very cold weather is expected to continue, the latest forecast is that there will be no gales and no fog. This means that, though loading of wagons and ships is slow and difficult, we should be able to keep seaborne coal moving.
The position should improve, provided that production at the pits is not held up through lack of wagons. The danger, spots are the North-East and Midlands districts. The situation, however, remains critical and, as the House will be aware from the statement issued last night, His Majesty's Government have been obliged to take further measures to meet the emergency. As from this morning restrictions on the consumption of electricity for domestic purposes are being applied to the whole of England, Scotland and Wales. In the South-West, including South Wales, the restricted hours are from 9 a.m. to 12 noon and from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. In the mid-East and North-East of England and throughout Scotland, they are from 8.30 a.m. till 11.30 a.m., and from 1.30 p.m. till 3.30 p.m An order has been made prohibiting, with effect from this morning, the consumption of electricity for domestic purposes during the periods of restriction. His Majesty's Government have also decided to prohibit, as from today, the consumption of any form of fuel for dog racing.
The increase in unemployment this week in the regions where the use of electricity for industrial purposes has been restricted is estimated at about 1¾ million. Of these, about one million have not claimed unemployment benefit. The total is about one-third of the number of insured workers employed in manufacturing industries in those regions, and rather more than one-quarter of the corresponding number in the country as a whole. The Ministry of Labour and National Service have standing emergency arrangements intended for dealing with sudden large increases in the volume of unemployment. These have worked satisfactorily, and thanks are due to the co-operation of both employers and workers in assisting in the operation of these emergency 544 schemes. So far, there has been no serious congestion at exchanges, and with the continued co-operation of employers and workers it is hoped that this situation will be maintained.
It is my desire to keep the House fully informed of developments in the situation and, to this end, I propose to make further statements from time to time.
§ Mr. GammansThere are two questions I wish to ask the Prime Minister. First, are the Government going to do anything about summer time; and, secondly, could the right hon. Gentleman arrange for supplies of paraffin to be more widely distributed throughout the country, so that people who have no other means of keeping warm or of cooking when the electricity is turned off can at least do so with paraffin?
§ The Prime MinisterThe question of summer time is under consideration, but one has to consider whether by the introduction of summer time we will not lose at one end what we gain at the other. Obviously, I think hon. Members would agree that this would not be a time to introduce summer time. The steps suggested by the hon. Member with regard to paraffin have been taken.
§ Mr. GammansDoes that mean the Government will be able to provide paraffin without any difficulty? Because my information is the exact opposite.
§ The Prime MinisterWe are providing more paraffin wherever it is necessary.
§ Mrs. MiddletonIn view of the incidence of unemployment, and the fact that owing to the three days' waiting period many homes will be without income this weekend, is something being done to enable these people to draw unemployment allowances, not on Friday of next week, as is usual. but on Friday of this week?
§ The Prime MinisterPerhaps the hon. Lady will put that question to the Minister of Labour. Arrangements are being made, as far as we can possibly make them, to see that no one shall suffer.
§ Mr. MaclayIs the Prime Minister satisfied that the inter-Departmental arrangements, both on a Ministerial level and otherwise, are now such as to obviate any risk of another situation arising such as arose over the night of Thursday-Friday of last week in connection with bunker coal?
§ The Prime MinisterThe inter-Departmental arrangements are satisfactory.
§ Mr. Oliver StanleyAre emergency arrangements being made for the abnormal repayments under the P.A.Y.E. scheme which will be necessary owing to the large unemployment?
§ The Prime MinisterI understand my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer is issuing a statement on that subject.
§ Mr. Stanley PrescottThe Prime Minister has told the House of certain savings which have been effected as a result of these cuts. Is it now possible for the Government to give any estimate of how much, and for what period of time, it will be necessary to close industry down? Secondly, would the Government make a statement as to what advice they give to employers of labour? Many employers have gone on paying the men, and have acted in a most co-operative manner. It is obvious that many industries cannot go on like that indefinitely. Has the right hon. Gentleman any observation to make on the suggestion that, after a certain period, employers should dismiss the men, but should pay them a certain sum over and above their unemployment benefit to make it up to their previous wages?
§ The Prime MinisterWith regard to the last point, that matter is under consideration: and there have been conversations with individual employers about what should be done. With regard to the first point, it is impossible to say at the present time when we shall be able to get back to the supply of electricity for industry. That must be the first thing to be done as soon as we have piled up the necessary stocks. It does depend, not only on the weather in London, but on the weather in the North-East, and also on the sailing of ships, as to how soon we can pile up sufficient stocks. We must have sufficient stocks before industry reopens.
§ Mr. GallacherIn view of the magnificent accomplishment of the Minister of 546 Fuel and Power in the production of coal, and the fact that the immediate difficulty lies in another direction, why has there not been an official repudiation of the violent Tory and Press attacks on the Minister of Fuel and Power? I would like an answer.
§ The Prime Ministerrose —
§ Mr. SpeakerMr. Keeling.
§ Mr. GallacherI would like an answer from the Prime Minister, Mr. Speaker.
§ Mr. SpeakerI do not think that question really deserves an answer.
§ Mr. KeelingWhy will it still be legal to use electric light domestically from 12 noon to 2 or from 11.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m.—a time when there is less need for artificial light than at any other period of the day?
§ The Prime MinisterThat is the time when people cook
§ Mr. KeelingI said "light."
§ Mr. GallacherOn a point of Order. When I had asked my question the Prime Minister rose to his feet and then, with the hubbub and you rising, sat down. I want to know where it appears in Erskine May, or anywhere else, that when the Prime Minister is about to answer Mr. Speaker should intervene.
§ Mr. SpeakerI can certainly point out to the hon. Member where it appears in Erskine May, that when a Member has been asking too many supplementary questions the Speaker has refused to allow him to ask another question after that. That is in Erskine May. The hon. Member for West Fife (Mr. Gallacher) must not expect that he will always get his own way
§ Mr. Gallacherrose —
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member will now resume his seat, and the Clerk will proceed to read the Orders of the Day.