§ 27. Sir W. Anstruther-Grayasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what further steps he is taking to divert the transport of coal from road to rail in view of the fact that the present figure of 64,000 tons diverted weekly is still below what could be reasonably achieved.
§ Mr. WatkinsonIn accordance with my instructions, regional transport commissioners are being very strict in issuing supplementary rations of motor fuel for road movement of coal, especially over long distances, unless they are satisfied that the coal cannot reasonably be moved by another form of transport.
§ Sir W. Anstruther-GrayIs my right hon. Friend satisfied that the figure of 64,000 tons a week is enough?
§ Mr. WatkinsonNo, I am not. I think the target figure which we ought to try to achieve is much more like 250,000 tons. I am in close touch with the Commission and the Minister of Power to see whether we can get a better figure.
§ Mr. Gresham CookeIs it not true that a great many power stations and opencast coal sites are right out in the country and it would not be very economic to put this coal on a lorry and take it for a short distance to the railway and then have to unload it again at the other end to be taken to country districts?
§ Mr. WatkinsonThat is so, and it is one of the difficulties.