HC Deb 04 February 1952 vol 495 c618
12. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how much of the coal produced in Scotland has been consumed in Scotland during each of the five years preceding and succeeding World War II; and what is his estimate as to the tonnage of Scottish and other coal, respectively, which will be consumed in Scotland during the year 1952.

Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd

Disposals of Scottish coal to inland consumers in Scotland in the five years 1946–1950 amounted to 20.1, 21.0, 20.4, 20.8 and 20.8 million tons, respectively. Comparable information for pre-war years is not available. Disposals in Scotland in 1952 of Scottish coal are likely to be at about the 1951 level, namely, 21½ million tons, and of other coal rather less than one million tons.

Mr. Hughes

Does the Minister agree that a good deal of time, labour and money is lost in the transport of coal, and that production and consumption should be co-ordinated in such a way as to avoid this, so that Scottish coal would be, so far as possible, used in Scotland, pending the electrification of the Scottish railways?

Mr. Lloyd

I do not think we ought to consider the consumption of coal strictly from the point of view of the Border. I believe that the arrangements at present used have grown up over a number of years and suit local conditions very well.