HC Deb 10 July 1950 vol 477 cc936-7
25. Mr. Osborne

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that the coal industry's manpower position is alarming, and that the coal output is less encouraging than last year; and what new steps he is taking to put these matters right.

Mr. P. Noel-Baker

I would ask the hon. Member to await the statement which I propose to make when the House debates the Annual Report of the National Coal Board on Thursday next.

Mr. Osborne

Since both these statements were made by a responsible person last week, ought not the Minister to give the House some opinion on it?

Mr. Noel-Baker

The whole purpose of the National Coal Board is to produce more coal at lower cost. I am glad to say that, in the short time the Board have been at work, they have been able to add 30 million tons to the annual output and that after 15 years of rising costs there was a fall in the cost for the first time in 1949.

Mr. Osborne

Will the Minister give the comparative costs and output today as compared with pre-war?

Mr. Noel-Baker

I will certainly do that in the Debate.