§ 3. Mr. Thomas Reidasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what percentage of coal was cleaned of dirt in 1947; and what is the position now.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerIn 1947, the percentage of coal cleaned either by mechanical means or by hand was about 78 per cent.; in 1950 it was 82 per cent.
§ Mr. ReidHas the amount of dirt taken from coal since nationalisation been much greater than before nationalisation, and, when the pits were taken over, was there adequate cleansing machinery in the old pits?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerBefore nationalisation the cutting machinery had been increased much more rapidly than the cleansing machinery, and there is a backlog of mechanical cleaning plant to make up.
§ Mr. R. S. HudsonWould the right hon. Gentleman suggest to his hon. Friend the Member for Swindon (Mr. T. Reid) that he asks the housewives of Swindon whether they agree that their coal is cleaner?
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydHas the right hon. Gentleman considered the passage in the Gas Council's Report which says that the low quality and dirtiness of the coal resulted in an extra million tons' consumption?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerIf the right hon. Gentleman had looked at the Order Paper he would have seen that there is a Question down about that.
§ Mr. Godfrey NicholsonWould the right hon. Gentleman tell the House how much of the 82 per cent. is mechanically cleaned?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerAbout 52 per cent.
§ Mr. NicholsonHow does that compare with the 1947 figure?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerIt was then 47 per cent.
§ Mr. T. ReidWould my right hon. Friend answer the last part of my Question? Was the machinery for cleansing the coal adequate in the pits before nationalisation?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerNo. I have said it was not adequate because the cutting machinery had been increased much more rapidly than the cleansing machinery.