§ 43. Mr. David Griffithsasked the Minister of Fuel and Power the number of conveyor faces at present working in the South Yorkshire coalfield and the average number of completed cycles, or turnovers, per week of these faces in the groups, by length of face, less than 100 yards, 100 641 to 150 yards, 130 to 200 yards, 200 to 250 yards, 250 to 300 yards and over 300 yards.
§ Mr. ShinwellIn December, 1946, the latest period for which figures are avail able, there were approximately 900 face conveyors in use in South Yorkshire. No information is available regarding either length of the faces concerned or the number of turnovers per week on these faces.
§ Mr. GriffithsIs not the Minister aware, and the Coal Board too, that an infinitely greater output could have been obtained had consideration been given to coal faces in fields in South Yorkshire? They are much too large and much too long, and the belting at present available is not able to carry the coal and too large a number of men are on one unit.
§ Mr. ShinwellWhether that be so or not, representations to that effect should be made by the National Union of Mine workers to the Coal Board.