§ 12. Mr. Nabarroasked the Paymaster-General what steps have been taken to ascertain total maximum stocking capacity for distributed and undistributed coals; and, as total stocks now exceed 40 million tons, what maximum potential stocking capacity is available before further curtailment of coal production becomes necessary.
§ Mr. MaudlingWhilst the provision of facilities for holding undistributed stocks has given rise to problems, the National Coal Board does not anticipate that lack of stocking capacity will determine the level of coal production. The stocks at present held by coal consumers are well below the limits of their stocking capacity.
§ Mr. NabarroCan my right hon. Friend assure the House that when the National Coal Board's revised plan is published it will contain some reference to what is considered by the Board to be the maximum stocking capacity available both in physical terms and in financial terms? Has my right hon. Friend observed that the present total level of distributed and undistributed stocks is nearly 42 million tons? Ought we to go higher than 50 million tons or, roughly, a calendar quarter's supply of coal in stock?
§ Mr. MaudlingI have no doubt that that consideration will be very much in the mind of the National Coal Board in formulating its new plan.