§ 9. Mr. Nabarroasked the Minister of Fuel and Power the capacity in tons per annum, based on normal working hours, and present degree of occupation of the coal briquetting plants of the United Kingdom, excluding anthracite; what part of this capacity is owned by the nationalised undertakings and what part is privately owned; and, in view of the increased and increasing supplies of small coals, slurries and dust normally unsuitable for domestic use and the current surplus of this material, what steps he proposes to take to enlarge and accelerate briquette production, with a view to alleviating shortage of domestic coal supplies.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydAbout 2 million tons, of which some three-quarters is owned by the National Coal Board. The plants are only running at half capacity because demand is slack; and I am in consultation with the National Coal Board on the whole question.
§ Mr. NabarroIs not this one of the answers in the forthcoming year to this continuing and aggravating shortage of 1695 large house coal? Cannot we increase these briquette appliances in order that fairly large quantities of small coals, slurries and dust are converted into briquettes which make first-class house solid fuel?
§ Mr. LloydYes, I think my hon. Friend is correct generally, and we ought to bear in mind as potential customers of briquettes not only householders but also the railways.