§ 36. Mr. Errollasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps he is taking to ensure that greater supplies of furnace coke are made available to the iron and steel industry.
§ Mr. GaitskellApart from the fact that the National Coal Board have standing instructions to meet in full the coal requirements of all coke ovens, special arrangements have been made for the production of furnace coke at certain Coal Board ovens and at part of the Beckton Gas Works where formerly coke of this type was not manufactured. In addition, supplies have been diverted from other consumers who are in a position to use gas coke instead of furnace coke.
§ Mr. ErrollWill these plants remove the bottleneck in furnace coke which hitherto has impeded output of steel?
§ Mr. GaitskellI think it can be said that so far as next winter is concerned there should be no interference at all. The long-term position naturally depends on the development of the programme for additional coke oven plants.