§ 4. Captain Pilkingtonasked the Minister of Fuel and Power how the figures of coal output so far this year compare with those last year.
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksTotal output in the first 46 weeks has been 2.9 million tons less than in 1954.
§ Captain PilkingtonCan my hon. Friend give any reasons for that? What are the plans to remedy the position?
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksThe reasons for it are spread over the various headings of there being more strikes, lower O.M.S. 1908 overall, poorer attendances, lower manpower and lower Saturday output. Steps to improve the situation are being taken urgently and actively by the National Coal Board at present.
§ Mr. BottomleyCan the hon. Gentleman give the percentages of responsibility under the various headings he has mentioned?
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksIf the right hon. Gentleman means the actual amounts which fell short under those headings, they were as follows: the amount due to there being more strikes was 1.4 million tons, lower O.M.S. overall accounted for .9 million tons, poorer attendance .7 million tons, lower manpower .7 million tons and lower Saturday output .2 million tons.
§ Mr. Paul WilliamsWould it not be a good idea if the National Coal Board spent more time stimulating production rather than on details of administration?
§ Mr. BottomleyIs the hon. Gentleman aware that what is wanted is more manpower? An hon. Member opposite suggested that we want more coal and, from this side of the House, we suggest we want more manpower.
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksYes, I agree with both suggestions. The National Coal Board is concentrating all the efforts it can on obtaining more manpower and production.
§ 5 and 9. Captain Pilkingtonasked the Minister of Fuel and Power (1) the estimated present shortage of men in the coal industry;
(2) what is his estimate of the difference between the present output of coal by the existing number of miners and the potential output.
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksNo reliable estimate can be made of the difference between the annual rate of production and the capacity of the mining industry at any given time. But it is estimated that there are at present vacancies for some 13,500 more men and that if these vacancies were filled the output of coal might increase by some 4 million tons.
§ Captain PilkingtonIs it not a fact that on 8th September the President of the National Union of Mineworkers said that there was a deficit between what was being produced and what could be produced? I realise that many miners are 1909 doing all they can, but does not the Minister think that there should be a better response to the nation's need by this nationalised industry?
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksI should not like to claim that the actual output of any industry represented its capacity. I certainly would never make that claim for the mining industry and I do not think anybody in it would. I quite agree that it is essential to obtain greater production, particularly from the deep-mined industry, and every endeavour is being made to achieve that object.
§ Mr. WarbeyIs the Minister aware that the answer he has now given about the prospective increase in output if the Government would do something to increase manpower in the mines puts the matter in a much better perspective than his answer to the previous Question from his hon. and gallant Friend? Does it not show that in fact the shortage of manpower is the main factor responsible for our coal output being below national needs?
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksI would not say that it is entirely or even principally due to a shortage of manpower, although that does play a substantial part. The Government have already taken many worthwhile steps to increase manpower and to encourage recruitment to the industry.