§ 23. Mr. Braineasked the Paymaster-General what contribution is currently being made to overall coal production by opencast working; and how production from this source compares with the position in previous years.
§ Mr. MaudlingIn the first 27 weeks of this year 6,885,000 tons of coal were produced at opencast sites. This is the highest recorded output for that period of the year and represents over 5½ per cent. of total supplies.
§ Mr. BraineIs it not clear from that reply that opencast coal production is making a very notable contribution to our overall coal supplies as well as producing at a much lower cost than deep-mined coal? Can my right hon. Friend, therefore, explain why it was that last month the National Coal Board in the North-East issued instructions to opencast producers to restrict production because of inadequate storage space? Would not my right hon. Friend agree that this reveals a most extraordinary lack of foresight? Is he aware that while my constituents are all in favour of high wages in industry for high production, the one thing they will not excuse is inefficiency?
§ Mr. MaudlingIn recent months the continued good weather and the failure of industrial consumption to rise has meant that our stocks of coal are at record levels, and certainly from time to time this has given rise to stocking difficulties, as it is bound to do. I am not aware of the particular case to which my hon. Friend has referred, but if he will send me details I shall be glad to look into it.
§ Mr. RobensDoes not the right hon. Gentleman agree that it is the Government's failure to plan our exports and to permit the Coal Board to export adequately that has left us with such huge stocks?
§ Mr. MaudlingThe problem of exports is not to plan them but to sell them.