§ 42. Mr. Errollasked the Minister of Fuel and Power the average cost of production per ton of opencast coal which is being obtained at present.
§ Mr. RobensThe estimated average cost of opencast coal for the year ended 31st March, 1949, was 44s. 6d. per ton, of which 29s. was the cost of production at site.
§ Colonel LancasterWould the Parliamentary Secretary explain to the House why there should be this immense disparity between the cost of producing opencast coal and producing iron ore, which is a similar process in almost wholly similar conditions?
§ Mr. RobensThere are differences, of course, in the production of opencast coal, as compared with the production of iron ore, because of the varying depth at which the coal is found.
§ Mr. R. S. HudsonWould not the cost of opencast coal be much lower if the Departmental overheads were not so high?
§ Mr. RobensI do not think so. I think the Department runs it very efficiently, if I may say so.
§ Major Legge-BourkeIs it not a fact that the seams now being worked are of lower quality than hitherto, and that therefore the amount of coal obtained is less than hitherto?
§ Mr. RobensNo. The seams vary from area to area, and in many cases are as good in quality as deep-mined coal.
§ Mr. BaldwinCan the Minister say whether the cost per ton as given by him, includes the cost of the reinstatement of the land in its former condition?
§ Mr. RobensYes, it does, and that is one difference with iron ore, where, of course, the land is not reinstated.