§ 68. Sir Frank Sandersonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give an estimate of the increased output of coal which would be required to run our industries to their full capacity where labour, plant and raw materials are available.
§ Sir S. CrippsAs I explained when opening the Debate on the Economic Situation on 10th March, we are at present planning the distribution of coal supplies during the six summer months on the basis of an estimated total output of 89,000,000 tons during that period. We estimate that 1393 an average increase of about 10 per cent, above that figure should enable us to achieve full industrial production.
§ 69. Sir F. Sandersonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will estimate the approximate percentage of capacity of manufacturing industries which is being lost, due to the shortage of coal.
§ Sir S. CrippsThe effect of the coal shortage varies substantially between industries and between different firms in the same industry. I am afraid therefore that it is not possible to give any estimate of the extent to which industry as a whole is working to less than capacity.
§ Sir F. SandersonIs the Minister aware that it would be economic to purchase coal or oil at almost any price rather than that industry should run on short time?
§ Sir S. CrippsIt is the policy of the Government to import any coal they can and turn over as much plant as possible to burning fuel oil.