§ 28. Mr. Peytonasked the Minister of Power to what extent supplies of solid fuel, particularly house coal and boiler fuels, will be adequate to meet demands next winter.
§ The Minister of Power (Mr. Richard Marsh)This is a matter which I keep under close review with the National Coal Board. The present seamen's strike could affect the position, but it is as yet too early to say to what extent.
§ Mr. PeytonWould not the right hon. Gentleman agree that the currently accelerating manpower fall-away, now reaching about 1,000 a week, is likely to have disastrous consequences for next winter? Would he not, therefore, agree that if this contracting industry is unable to meet even its established markets the crisis which we will face next winter will be one of very great proportions indeed?
§ Mr. MarshThe hon. Gentleman does not help the position by talking about a disastrous situation. The fall-away in the manpower of the coal mining 1227 industry is considerably more than we would like to see, but it does not produce evidence of a disastrous situation next winter. There are a number of factors which we must consider at present, but there is no evidence as yet to suggest that there will be a disastrous situation in this sphere next winter.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerIs my right hon. Friend aware that in the first eight weeks of the current year, 1966–67, output in the coal mining industry fell by 1½ million tons compared with last year's figures, that the manpower decline has been accelerating, that productivity is only 3 per cent. up, that his complacency is unjustified and that he should, therefore, review the proposed pit closures.
§ Mr. MarshMy hon. Friend should remember that this must be kept in proportion. There is an intention to reduce the total manpower within the coal mining industry. The run-down of manpower in the industry is faster than one would wish to see at this time. However, we must remember that there is this desire to contract the industry and I hope that I shall be in a position to say something more on the prospects for next winter before the House rises for the Summer Recess. It would be stupid and very much against public interest for people to go around talking about disaster in terms of coal supplies next winter.
§ Sir G. NabarroHas the right hon. Gentleman observed that the output in the last coal year, which ended on 31st March, was the lowest in our history, at 186 million tons, and that, pro rata with the first eight weeks of the new coal year, output is down to 170 million tons, which is far, far below the level of industrial and domestic demand combined? Would he, therefore, cast out complacency in this matter?
§ Mr. MarshThere is no question of complacency at all. This whole question of fuel supplies generally, not just coal, is a very real and crucial one. A great deal of work is taking place in my Ministry now in an effort to work out the best way of, for example, taking account of the new supplies of North Sea gas, which represent a contribution in terms of coal equivalent. I am merely saying that there is no evidence to justify statements to the effect that there will be a disastrous position next winter.
§ Mr. PeytonIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.