§ 22. Mr. Geoffrey Cooperasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if it is his policy, in order to improve the quality and eliminate the dirt content of coal, to expand rapidly the number of cleaning plants; how many completely new cleaning plants have been erected since 1st January, 1947, up to the most recent convenient date; and what is the total cost involved.
§ Mr. GaitskellI agree with the statement of policy on this matter published by the National Coal Board in pages 58 to 63 of their Annual Report for 1947. For information regarding the number and cost of new cleaning plant I would refer my hon. Friend to the same passage in the report and also to the Statistical Digest of the Ministry of Fuel and Power for the years 1946 and 1947.
§ Mr. CooperDoes the Minister realise the very serious difficulties that are being experienced at iron and steel plants and by other heavy users in particular, because of the increased dirt and grit in the coal? Is not this policy of cleaning plant construction a long-term plan only, and does not he think it preferable to encourage miners in the more accurate cutting and loading so as to reduce the dirt content?
§ Mr. GaitskellI think that if my hon. Friend reads the report in question he will find a satisfactory answer to the various questions he has raised.